Former banker Mark Carney is the new leader of the Liberal Party and will temporarily become the new Canadian Prime Minister. He succeeds Justin Trudeau.
The economist and former central bank governor won the party elections with 85.9% on Sunday, beating his main rival, former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Carney was the big favourite in advance and distinguished himself during the race for the party leadership with an economy-oriented, centrist agenda.
Carney identifies himself as a centrist who refuses to pit the economy against the environment, and he presents himself as a man of change. He is expected to be sworn in as PM in the coming days. As a newcomer to the political stage, having never served in elected office, his term promises to be unique.
He will lead the Liberals in the next general election, which is set to be called in the coming weeks. Canadians are expected to go to the polls by October, which means Carney may only have a short tenure as prime minister.
'Greatest crisis of our time'
Speaking at the launch of his leadership campaign in Edmonton, Alberta, where he grew up, Carney said: "The system set up by our parents worked well for us. But those good old days are over."
In much of his victory speech, he attacked Trump, who has imposed tariffs on Canada. He stated that the US president's threats are "the greatest crisis of our time". Trump said he wants to make Canada the 51st US state. "Americans should make no mistake," he said. "In trade, as in hockey, Canada will win." Carney is expected to continue Trudeau's course of resolute resistance.
Trudeau announced that he would step down as both leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister at the beginning of January 2025 after the pressure on his position became untenable.
