Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Canada: Stephen Harper reelected government

The outgoing Canadian Prime Minister, Conservative Stephen Harper, has been renewed, Monday, May 2, at the head of government, his party winning the most seats in the House in early parliamentary elections. According to preliminary official results, the Harper Conservatives get 166 of the 308 seats in the House of Commons.

"Canadians have chosen hope, a strong and united Canada, and we will govern for all Canadians, even those who did not vote for us," assured Mr. Harper, beaming to his supporters that the applauded vigorously in Calgary, Alberta. "Our government will defend the interests of all regions and all Canadians, including the great nation of Quebec," he said.

Alluding to the defeat of the separatist Bloc Quebecois, whose seats were often taken over by New Democratic Party (left), Mr. Harper has stated its intention to "make Canada a freer and more united." "Quebecers have decided to send the Federalists in the House of Commons, and we will work together for the betterment of our country." The precipitous decline of the Bloc Quebecois, with just four seats against 47 held in the outgoing parliament, announced a steep turn in the attitude of the inhabitants of French-speaking province and greater openness to the English-speaking Canada.

Its leader, Gilles Duceppe, defeated in his riding of Montreal, announced his resignation. Other highlights of the poll, there had been elected the leader of the Greens, Elizabeth May, a historic first, and the defeat of the Conservative Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the outgoing government.

Participation remained low at 60.3%, according to provisional figures, barely higher than the historic low of 58.8% registered in 2008.

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