How Donald Trump helped liberals win what they thought was a lost election

The Liberals of incumbent Prime Minister Mark Carney have won the Canadian parliamentary election after a remarkable comeback during the campaign, according to the CBC. The Liberals have won or are leading in 139 electoral districts. The Conservatives have so far secured 107 electoral districts. A party must win 172 of the 343 seats in the House of Commons to form a majority government.

Canadian television networks CTV and CBC have already declared the Liberal Party the winner of the election campaign. This would mark the Liberals' fourth consecutive victory. It remains unclear whether Carney will be able to form a majority government or will have to work with a smaller party.

The Canadian election campaign was overshadowed by the tariff dispute instigated by Donald Trump and by Trump's threats to make Canada the 51st state of the USA. On Monday, Trump reiterated his plans to annex Canada on social media. This triggered a wave of patriotism in Canada.

The Liberals, led by Mark Carney and his predecessor Justin Trudeau, who resigned only in January, have benefited from this, vehemently opposing the US approach. At the time of Trudeau's handover, polls predicted a defeat for the Liberals in the next election.

Carney's triumph represents a stunning turnaround for the party, which was headed for a historic electoral defeat just four months ago. The former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England took over as party leader on March 9 and called an election just two weeks later. He trusted his position as prime minister, who would fight for Canada against an aggressive White House.

During the election campaign, the incumbent Prime Minister emphasized that he was best qualified to deal with Trump due to his experience in dealing with economic issues. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre had primarily addressed voters' concerns about the cost of living, crime, and the housing crisis.