Canadian elections: a setback for Trudeau?
After parliamentary elections in Canada, Justin Trudeau looks set to remain prime minister. His Liberal party is still the strongest party although it lost its absolute majority. Commentators also factor Donald Trump into the election results.
More aggressive discourse
El País is relievd by Justin Trudeau's victory:
“In a continent where populist discourse has advanced alarmingly, Trudeau's victory shows that political strategy doesn't have to consist of a logic of confrontation based on the erosion of the existing institutions' prestige and constant denigration of opponents. ... But the polarised election campaign of the two parties is a cause for concern, with moments of great tension, such as when Trudeau was recommended to wear a bulletproof vest at an election event. ... This is a factor Canada's political class must now address, because this is precisely the climate that radical populists are exploiting to undermine democracy.”
Governing will be more difficult this time round
Justin Trudeau has taken a beating, Keskisuomalainen notes:
“Trudeau will have to lead a minority government or a coalition comprising several parties. The talks will no doubt be long and difficult. ... As the party that received the most votes, the Conservatives will be aggressive in the opposition. Trudeau benefits from the fact that the opposition leaders are weak. But his image has been sullied by personal scandals and an environmental policy symbolised by the trans-mountain oil pipeline.”
Brought down to size
Sme welcomes the election results, explaining that they represent normalisation:
“All too often people project their hopes on politicians without thinking about what powers the successful candidate will have or what he'll be able to achieve after a couple of years in power - regardless of what he's promised. Then come disillusionment, disappointment, and ultimately people like Donald Trump. Now reality has caught up with Justin Trudeau. Once the darling of Canadian public life, he's become a normal, relatively successful politician who makes mistakes like everyone else. ... It's good that Trudeau has won the elections, and it's good that he no longer has to play the superstar or be a Canadian export article. For politics that's better than a sine wave of wild hopes and heartbreaking disappointments.”