Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election for April 28, saying he needs a strong public mandate to confront growing threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he accused of trying to “break” Canada.
Carney, sworn in just over a week ago, made the announcement on Sunday after receiving approval from the Governor General, King Charles’ representative in Canada.
“We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes,” Carney told reporters, citing Trump’s trade tariffs and his provocative comments suggesting Canada could be annexed as the 51st U.S. state.
“President Trump claims that Canada isn't a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen,” Carney declared.
A former central banker with no prior campaign experience, Carney took over the Liberal Party leadership two weeks ago, replacing Justin Trudeau, who stepped down earlier this year. Since then, Liberal support has rebounded in national polls.
An Angus Reid poll published Monday put the Liberals at 42%, ahead of the opposition Conservatives at 37%. A separate Leger poll showed similar momentum, with Liberals at 42% and Conservatives at 39%.
Analysts say the focus of the election has shifted from internal politics to leadership under external pressure.
“This election is now much more about leadership,” said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. “Trump’s pressure has changed the stakes.”
Despite the momentum, Carney faces several hurdles. Conservatives have accused him of elitism, questioned the transparency of his blind trust, and criticised him for continuing Trudeau-era spending policies.
Carney’s temperament came under scrutiny last week after he snapped at a reporter’s question about his finances, accusing them of “conflict and ill will.”
He also stumbled during a press event in Quebec, struggling to respond in French—a weakness the Conservatives may exploit. Their leader Pierre Poilievre is a fluent French speaker and seasoned political campaigner.
Still, political experts say Trump’s presence in the background may shift voters’ priorities.
“Carney’s inexperience might matter less because of the external pressure from Trump,” said Laura Stephenson, a political science professor. “Voters may give him more grace than usual.”
Carney now has five weeks to convince Canadians he’s the leader to stand up to Trump—and protect Canada’s independence.
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Servic...
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes milita...
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democra...
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
Russian authorities have reported attacks on voting systems and communication lines as the country’s parliamentary election entered its second day on Saturday (19 September).
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Service has said.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has prepared sanctions targeting the entire International Criminal Court (ICC) and could announce them soon, escalating Washington's efforts to pressure the global tribunal.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged closer ties on Sunday as they sought to strengthen cooperation on geopolitical tensions, climate change, energy and the protection of democratic values.
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democrats (CDU) on 19.1 per cent. This marks a major shift in the city's political landscape and a setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ruling coalition.
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his government faces growing public frustration and a resurgent far right.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment