Trudeau's minority government survives No-Confidence vote

NEW YORK: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority government successfully fended off a no-confidence vote on Wednesday.

The vote, initiated by the opposition Conservative Party, was seen as a significant challenge to Trudeau's leadership, but his government emerged intact, avoiding a potential early election, reported German news agency dpa.

Trudeau's minority Liberal government survived thanks to lawmakers from the opposition New Democratic Party and the Bloc Quebecois joining to vote down the measure.

The Conservatives, however, have promised that more such votes against Trudeau are coming. If any of these were to pass, it would trigger early elections.

Trudeau, who has been in office since 2015, has been struggling with persistently poor approval ratings.

His reputation as a progressive superstar has long since fallen into disrepair.

Although he is credited with leading Canada forward on issues like the climate crisis, gender equality and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, scandals such as suppressed corruption investigations have tarnished his image amid a tough economic landscape.

In a significant blow, the left-leaning NDP said earlier this month it was withdrawing support for Trudeau's minority government. The deal had seen the NDP lend its votes to help get some Liberal initiatives passed through Parliament in Ottawa.

But NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said the Liberals had become "too weak" and "too selfish" to successfully take on the Conservatives.

"The deal is done," he posted on X on September 4. But the party stopped short of saying it was willing to trigger a snap election.

The next general election is scheduled to take place by October 2025 at the latest. At present, many see the Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre as the most likely winner.

--BERNAMA-dpa

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