Canada votes to elect new Parliament, Trudeau's 2nd term uncertain?

Canada will vote on Monday, October 21, to elect a new Parliament as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seeking re-election in a tough contest against the Conservatives. The House of Commons has 338 seats and a party needs at least 170 seats to form a majority government at the centre. In 2015, Trudeau’s Liberal Party got 177 seats ending the 10-year rule of the Conservatives. 

Blackface controversy during the poll campaign

Trudeau’s election campaign was marred with controversies, especially the one around his brownface and blackface pictures that surfaced. Trudeau, who is considered a progressive leader, was reportedly heavily criticised for his past actions. Though he apologised "unconditionally", the controversy had an impact on his progressive image.  

"I recognize that it is something absolutely unacceptable to do,” he said during a news conference in September. “It wasn’t a good idea, it was a terrible idea. It was something that minimizes and takes advantage of a reality that I have not had to live with of being discriminated against, of being marginalised, of being judged for the colour of my skin, for my language, my background,” he added.

Read: Trudeau Could Lose Power In Canada’s Election Monday

Obama's endorsement of Trudeau

Former US president Barack Obama, in a surprise endorsement, came out in support of Trudeau for his second term.

But this is not the first time Obama supported an International leader. In 2017, he endorsed the candidature of French President Emmanuel Macron through a video.

Read: Barack Obama: 'I Hope Our Neighbours Support Trudeau For Another Term'

Andrew Scheer, the main rival

Trudeau’s main political rival is Conservation Party leader Andrew Scheer who has also been the leader of the opposition since 2017. Trudeau has constantly accused Scheer of pandering to white supremacists but after the emergence of blackface pictures, Trudeau has toned down this line of attack. A first-term Canadian Prime Minister with a parliamentary majority has not lost the re-election bid since 1935 and Trudeau might have to rely on an opposition party to remain in power.

Read: Conservatives: Bland Candidate Is Answer To Trudeau’s Flash

Read: It Was A Terrible Idea: Trudeau Apologises Again For Wearing Blackface