Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party has lost a Parliament seat it had held for decades in a special election in Montreal, a devastating defeat that is likely to increase pressure on Canada’s deeply unpopular leader to resign.
The Bloc Québécois, a national party that supports independence for Quebec, narrowly won the race that was held on Monday, according to final results released early on Tuesday morning. It was the Liberals’ second stunning election loss in three months.
The result underscored how support for the Liberals has evaporated, even in their last few strongholds, ahead of the next general election, which must be held by the fall of 2025 but is likely to take place in the spring.
Mr. Trudeau has pledged to lead his party in that election, saying over the weekend that he would not quit even if the Liberals lost on Monday.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTMr. Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa on Tuesday morning that “there’s all sorts of reflections to take’’ on the election outcome.
“Obviously, it would have been nicer to be able to win,’’ Mr. Trudeau said. “But there’s more work to do and we’re going to stay focused on doing it.”
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