Justin Trudeau was on course to win a second term as Canada’s prime minister in an election seen as a referendum on the Liberal leader and his four-year-old government after a series of scandals.
Despite his party claim most seats in parliament, their second term will be much harder, relying on other parties to pass legislation.
The Liberals are expected to claim 156 seats, 14 short of a majority.
His centre-right Conservative rivals are heading for 122 seats, a marked increase from the 95 it held before.
Monday night’s results could be good news for the country’s left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) and its leader Jagmeet Singh, who could be kingmaker.
Turning to address those across the country who voted for him, he said: “Thank you for having faith in us to move our country in the right direction.”
And to those who did not back him, he promised his party would govern for everyone.
Trudeau popularity fallen , because , In 2015, he was the “change” candidate, backed by Canadians who were tired of nearly a decade of Conservative rule. But in the last year, he has been dogged by scandals that chipped away at his credibility, including revelations he once wore blackface.
Canada’s parliament has 338 seats, and the party that wins the majority of those seats – 170 or more – automatically forms the government and can easily pass legislation. If no party wins a majority, the parties must team up.
It is unclear which party the Liberals would join forces with to govern, with negotiations set to take place over the coming days.
