Australia’s ruling Labor Party has secured a landslide victory in the country’s general election, defying predictions that they would lose. The party, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is set to form government for another term.
A Surprise Upset
Experts had tipped the Liberal-National coalition, led by Peter Dutton, to win due to the government’s struggles with the economy. However, Albanese’s Labor Party gained momentum as the coalition lost seats across the country. Officials will need several days to count the votes and release the official results.
A New Term for Albanese
Albanese said Australians had voted for fairness, ambition, and opportunity for all. He also promised to make healthcare more accessible, help people buy homes, and tackle climate change. Albanese becomes the first Australian prime minister in over 20 years to win back-to-back elections. The Labor Party is expected to win around 86 seats, well above the 76 needed for a majority.
The Liberal-National coalition is projected to secure around 40 seats, while the Greens may get one or two seats. Albanese’s victory is seen as a significant upset, given the government’s low popularity ratings earlier this year due to economic woes and other issues.
Campaign Promises
During the five-week campaign, Albanese focused on issues like the cost of living, affordable healthcare, and housing. He also promised to address climate change, improve international relations, and help Indigenous Australians. In contrast, Dutton conceded defeat, saying he took full responsibility for the loss and apologized to his party members. His own seat was among those lost, a first in 24 years. The outcome marks a shift in Australian politics, where voters have previously shown a tendency to abandon the two major parties.
Source: bbc