New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election for April 28, saying he needs a strong mandate to confront the threat to Canada's economic stability posed by US President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Although the next election was scheduled for October 20, Carney hopes to capitalize on the surprising progress the Liberal Party has made since January, when Trump began threatening Canada and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, Reuters reports.
"We are facing the greatest crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade moves and his threats to our sovereignty," Carney said.
"There is so much more we must do to secure Canada. To invest in Canada, to build Canada, to unite Canada. That is why I am asking for a strong and positive mandate from my fellow citizens," Carney said in announcing the election.
Carney, a former governor of the central banks of Canada and England and with no previous political experience, won the leadership position in the Liberal Party two weeks ago, convincing members that he was the best person to stand up to Trump.
Carney replaced Trudeau, who had been Prime Minister of Canada for nine years, in the position.
Polls show that the Liberals, who have been in power since 2015 and who were significantly behind the opposition Conservatives at the beginning of this year, are now slightly ahead of their rivals.
"The Conservatives' ability to attack the Liberals is now significantly weakened because people are focused on the present and the near future, rather than what has happened over the last ten years," said Darell Briker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs.
According to an online poll by Angus Reid of 4.009 people, the Liberals currently have 42 percent of public support, while the Conservatives have 37 percent.
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