Justin Trudeau was on course to win a second term as\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
Despite his party\u00a0 claim most seats in parliament, their second term will be much harder, relying on other parties to pass legislation.<\/p>\n
The Liberals are expected to claim 156 seats, 14 short of a majority.<\/p>\n
His centre-right Conservative rivals are heading for 122 seats, a marked increase from the 95 it held before.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
And to those who did not back him, he promised his party would govern for everyone.<\/p>\n
Trudeau\u00a0 popularity fallen , because ,\u00a0 In 2015,\u00a0 he\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It is unclear which party the Liberals would join forces with to govern, with negotiations set to take place over the coming days.<\/p>\n