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Chretien and Liberals in Canada Win Straight Majority
Jean Chretien won a bold gamble today, becoming the first Canadian Prime Minister to win a third consecutive majority government since World War II.
Defying forecasters, Mr. Chretien's Liberals swept Ontario and picked up several seats in Quebec, reducing the parliamentary delegation of the separatist Bloc Quebec.
Recognizing that Canada's 66- year-old Prime Minister had won a race held against the wishes of many party leaders, Mike Robinson, a Liberal strategist, said, "The Prime Minister has won a solid majority government and he is going to govern as long as he wants."
Winning several more seats than the 161 seats the Liberals won in 1997, Mr. Chretien embarks on a five- year term. After President Clinton steps down in January, he will become the longest serving leader of the major Western countries. Under Canada's parliamentary system, a majority of 151 seats vastly strengthens the powers of the prime minister, allowing him great authority to pass legislation.
With good economic times, the Liberals also benefited from their call for a five-year tax cut.
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