Trudeau’s political breath is faltering
The Liberal Party of Canada recently experienced a significant setback, losing in the crucial by-election in a key Montreal riding.
This election, which was widely publicized, was seen as a barometer of the current political climate in Canada. Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister and leader of the Liberals, was already in a precarious position, and this defeat has further worsened the situation. Although the loss was by less than one percent, the election became so intense and captivating that more than 90 candidates registered, creating the largest and longest ballot in Canadian history.
The next Canadian election is legally scheduled for October next year, but for a long time, economic and livelihood crises and consecutive political failures have pushed the Liberals back in the polls and destabilized Trudeau’s government.
One of the most significant signs of this instability, which indeed marks the beginning of a new crisis period, is the termination of the New Democratic Party’s agreement with the Liberals in running the government.
One of the fundamental bases for the formation of the government by the Liberals, who do not hold a majority in parliament, was the cooperation of that party.
The recent by-elections sparked numerous political challenges and discussions in Canada, and particularly, the Trudeau government’s policy towards Gaza was added to the electoral topics.
The official protest of dozens of important government officials against Trudeau and their demand for him to condemn the Israeli government fueled political tensions.
Trudeau, who has long faced numerous criticisms and tensions within his own party, must also endure this challenge.
Trudeau has long been aware of the fragility of his position.
Many Liberals believe that his current unpopularity should lead him to conclude, like Joe Biden, to step aside so that a new leader can take over the party and lead the Liberals into the next election.
Aware of this critical situation, Trudeau has officially announced that he intends to remain in party leadership for the next election and continue the fight.
At the party conference, he worked to strengthen his position and party unity, even spending the summer in face-to-face discussions with party representatives in parliament. The Trudeaus are a significant political family in Canada, and Justin Trudeau, who has been Prime Minister since 2015, has promoted many current representatives and politicians, who are indebted to him.
It is unlikely that the ground will easily be pulled from under him, but there is no doubt that his political breath is faltering.