(AFP) – Canadian liberals appeared to be set to choose former central bankers and political beginners as their next leaders on Sunday.
Mark Carney, who served as governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, is widely expected to be nominated as the new liberal leader when the results of the votes of around 400,000 party members are announced on Sunday.
Another major challenger is Trudeau's former vice-prime minister Christia Freeland, who holds several senior ministerial positions in the liberal government, first elected in 2015.
Anyone who wins the vote will take over the prime minister from Trudeau, but soon face a general election in which the polls show rival Conservatives as a small favorite to win.
Carney has won support, including many Trudeau's cabinet. Freeland's victory will be a shock to liberals as they head to the general election.
Despite being dramatically destroyed with the prime minister in December, analysts say voters still tie Freeland to Trudeau's unpopular record.
Carney and Freeland claim to be the best candidates to protect Canada from Trump's attacks.
The US President repeatedly spoke about Canada's annexation, casting bilateral trade, the lifeline of the Canadian economy.
Carney claimed he was a veteran economic manager, reminding voters that he led the Bank of Canada through the 2008-2009 financial crisis and led the Bank of England through the turbulence that followed the 2016 Brexit vote.
“We're attacking what we've built. He's attacking what we're selling. Carney told supporters at a rally for the closing campaign near Toronto on Friday.
“We are in the most serious crisis of our life,” he added. “Everything in my life has prepared me for this moment.”
Data released by Angus Reed's voting company on Wednesday shows Canadians see Carney as their favorite choice against Trump.
43% of respondents said they trusted Carney the most to deal with Trump, with 34% supporting Tory leader Pierre Polièble.
However, most polls list Tories as their current favorite to win the current election. This must take place by October, but could come within a few weeks.
Before joining Canadian civil servant, Carney created his fortune as an investment banker for Goldman Sachs.
Since leaving the Bank of England in 2020, he has been a UN envoy, working as a private sector envoy, striving to invest in climate-friendly technologies in the private sector.
He has never served in Congress or served in elected public offices.
Analysts say his unverified campaign skills can prove liability to the Conservatives who have already run attack ads that accused Carney of changing position and misrepresenting his experience.
The 59-year-old positioned himself as a new voice that he was not contaminated by Trudeau.
On Friday, Carney said Canadians wanted “coast to coast” and called themselves a political outsider.
“I've come to a place where I might have to start calling myself a politician in two months,” he joked.
Trudeau said he agreed to a transition of power after refusing to give him an accurate date once the new liberal leader is in place.
Once ready, the pair visits Canadian Governor Mary Simon (official representative of Canadian Charles III).
The new prime minister will only be able to hold his position for a few weeks, depending on the timing and outcome of the approaching election.
