This Week in Politics
Mark Carney Elected Leader of the Liberal Party in Canada
Following former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement in early January a leadership election within the Liberal Party was triggered. After years of waning support and popularity the situation had grown unmanageable for the Liberals. With a new leader the party hoped to infuse new enthusiasms to break the longstanding polling decline. Both former central banker Mark Carney and former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland were viewed as front runners. Mr Carney received a resounding vote of confidence by the Liberal membership in receiving 86% of the vote. Moreover, the Liberal Party has surged in polling, minimising a prior double digit lead by the opposition Conservative Party, headed by Pierre Poilievre, into single digits, even leading in some polling.
"Canadians are being asked to serve in their own ways. We’re all being called to stand up for each other and for the Canadian way of life," Mark Carney stated in his victory address.
Mr Carney has vowed to continue Mr Trudeau's tariffs on the United States until "the Americans show us respect." The former prime minister instigated retaliatory tariffs totalling C$30 billion following President Donald J. Trump's tariff introduction.
"And Donald Trump, as we know, has put, as the Prime Minister just said, unjustified tariffs on what we build on what we sell, on how we make a living. He’s attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses, and we cannot let him succeed, and we won’t," Mr Carney stated.
The new Liberal leader emphasised Mr Trump throughout his victory address, yet also lifted the economy, welfare, and "Canadian values." He attacked Mr Poilievre's climate policy and being a lifelong politician that "worships" the free market. Moreover, he stated that Mr Poilievre would capitulated to President Trump's pressures on Canada allowing the country to be divided and conquered.
"[W]hen we come together, we build things that last, because we are Canada strong," Mr Carney ended his speech.
Portugal set for Snap Election
Following a no confidence vote in the ruling minority government the president announced a snap election later this year. He urged voters to participate in what will be the third election in 3 years. The centre-right government collapsed due to questions relating to the prime minister's conduct, creating unheard instability during the nation's democratic journey. The collapse follows a trend of larger parties losing voters, forming the need for minority governments which have been unable to effectively govern because of an inability to compromise. The snap election could benefit the right-wing Chega party which has grow in light of growing frustration with the mainstream parties. Whether Portugal will head in a new direction will be decided on 18 May.
Romanian Presidential Candidate Barred from Running
Călin Georgescu haș been barred from running in the Romanian presidential election. He received most votes in the first round of voting in the 2024 election, that was overturned by the Constitutional Court citing fears of Russian disinformation campaigns. The central election bureau in Romania declared it "unacceptable" that Mr Georgescu be allowed to run following the annulment of the November election. The Constitutional Court upheld the bureau's decision stating its intention to explain the reasoning at a later date. Sparked with outrage hundreds of Romanians took to the streets protesting the ruling, waving Romanian flags and chanting "freedom" alongside "thieves." One protester declared that Romania was "not a democracy any more."
“Today, the masters have decided: no equality, no freedom, no fraternity for Romanians,” Mr Georgescu stated in a post to social media.
