Former central banker Mark Carney has been elected as the new leader of Canada's governing Liberal Party, positioning him to become the next prime minister as the country faces challenges from US President Donald Trump's trade policies and threats of annexation, with a federal election approaching.
At 59 years old, Carney takes over from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but will remain in office until Carney is sworn in shortly. Carney secured a decisive victory, garnering 85.9% of the vote.
Carney previously managed crises as the head of the Bank of Canada and made history in 2013 as the first noncitizen to lead the Bank of England since its establishment in 1694. His appointment received bipartisan acclaim in the UK, particularly as Canada rebounded more swiftly after the 2008 financial crisis than many other nations.
The opposition Conservatives aimed to focus the upcoming election on Trudeau, whose popularity has waned amid rising food and housing costs and increasing immigration.
Trump's trade war and comments about making Canada the 51st US state have angered many Canadians, leading to protests during NHL and NBA games and influencing some to cancel trips to the US or avoid American products.
This rise in Canadian nationalism has improved the Liberal Party's prospects in a parliamentary election expected soon, with their support steadily increasing in opinion polls. "We have made this the greatest country in the world, and now our neighbors want to take us. No way," Carney declared.
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