Canada elections: Justin Trudeau survives elections despite “blackface” controversy but will need support from left parties

Trudeau, who has championed diversity as prime minister, and is viewed as one of the last remaining progressive leaders among the world’s major democracies.

Justin Trudeau will sustain as a Prime Minister of Canada but with a minority government, he will need the aide of the smaller left-leaning parties against strong opposition and his scandals.

On Monday, as per the Canadian election, the liberals were leading with 156 out of 338 seats. That put the liberal far short of the 170 seats needed for the second straight majority government.

Justin Trudeau thank Canadian people through his twitter handle

Thank you, Canada, for putting your trust in our team and for having faith in us to move this country in the right direction. Regardless of how you cast your vote, our team will work hard for all Canadians.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 22, 2019

Mr Trudeau, came in power in 2015 as a charismatic figure promising “sunny ways,” saw his popularity drop over old photos of him in blackface and his handling of a corporate corruption case. He will now have to rely on the New Democratic Party to push through key legislation.

Although the NDP had a disappointing night, as the number of seats it was projected to win was down sharply from the 2015 election, the party could exercise significant influence over Mr Trudeau’s next government.

“I think a Liberal government supported by the NDP is likely going to lean farther left,” said John Manley, a former Liberal finance minister who now works in the private sector.

“It raises a series of issues about what are the demands that an NDP party would make. What’s the price of governing going to be? And I think businesses are going to be reluctant to make any moves until they get some satisfaction around that.”

Minority governments in Canada rarely last more than 2-1/2 years. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he had spoken with Mr Trudeau and vowed to “work hard to deliver on the country’s priorities.”

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Ahead of the vote, polls showed a tight race between Mr Trudeau and his main rival, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer. The Conservatives, who trailed on Monday with 121 seats, actually won the national popular vote, according to preliminary results.

Mr Trudeau (47), who has championed diversity as prime minister, was endorsed by former U.S. President Barack Obama in the final stretch of the campaign and is viewed as one of the last remaining progressive leaders among the world’s major democracies.

But the son of the late Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau also had to overcome a sense of fatigue with his government. U.S. President Donald Trump, whose relationship with Mr Trudeau has been testy at times, congratulated him “on a wonderful and hard-fought victory” via Twitter.

Congratulations to @JustinTrudeau on a wonderful and hard fought victory. Canada is well served. I look forward to working with you toward the betterment of both of our countries!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2019

The Bloc Quebecois saw its support jump in the mainly French-speaking province of Quebec, the only place where the separatist party contests elections. It was elected or ahead in 32 seats, more than three times what the party won in 2015.

The Greens, who have assailed Mr Trudeau for not doing enough to combat climate change, also made gains on Monday. The Canadian dollar was little changed after the Liberal win, holding at near three-month highs.