Australia's Labor Party remains in power, Conservatives lose seats

Australia's Labor Party remains in power, Conservatives lose seats

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured a second term in office in an overwhelming election. Voters chose stability over change amid global turmoil sparked by the return of U.S. President Donald Trump. This represents a significant turning point in Australia's political climate.

Election results and political divergences

Albanese's Labor camp appears to be well on its way to securing a majority in parliament. Although votes are still being counted, early results indicate a significant increase in votes for his center-left party, according to forecasts from national broadcaster ABC and CNN partner Sky News.

Peter Dutton's defeat

Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton, who hoped to win the election as premier, has lost the outer Brisbane seat he has held for more than 20 years. It marks a humiliating evening for the veteran politician, who previously held senior positions in the last coalition government.

A historic election

Labor's victory makes Albanese the first Australian prime minister to be re-elected in two decades - the last time was in 2004 under John Howard.

Global influences and electoral dynamics

The return of a left-leaning government in Australia follows a similar trend in Canada, where Mark Carney's Liberal Party has also received strong support. While Australia does not face the same threats to its sovereignty as Canada, Trump's global tariffs and policy twists have eroded Australians' trust in the US, recent polls have shown.

Problems for Dutton

Dutton started the five-week campaign with strong support. But analysts believe his chances have been significantly damaged by policy missteps and backtracking, particularly Trump's blunt approach to the global order.

Albanese's strategies and promises

In contrast, the Labor Party under Albanese was able to demonstrate a calm and authoritative attitude. After Trump's announcement of tariff measures, Albanese called a news conference where he was flanked by his foreign and commerce secretaries and said, "This is not the act of a friend."

Dutton, on the other hand, has had difficulty distancing himself from the comparisons to Trump made by his opponents. Regarding the domestic policy agenda, Albanese has promised to reduce the cost of living, provide tax breaks and provide short-term relief from higher energy costs. He also plans to build 1.2 million apartments to alleviate the housing shortage.