Mark Carney Steps into Political Spotlight: From Banker to Canada's Prime Minister

Mark Carney, a former central banker, won the leadership of Canada's Liberal Party, set to succeed Justin Trudeau as prime minister. His election comes at a critical time for Canada amid a trade war with the U.S., with Carney pledging to bolster the economy and improve trade relations.

Mark Carney, the former central banker, has clinched the leadership of Canada's ruling Liberal Party, positioning himself to become the next prime minister after Justin Trudeau. As the official results revealed on Sunday, Carney secured his victory amidst a challenging period marked by a trade war with the United States.

In a closely contested race, Carney, 59, emerged victorious against former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland by capturing the majority vote from over 150,000 party members. This leadership change follows Trudeau's January announcement of his intention to step down, prompted by declining approval ratings after over nine years in power.

Despite being a political novice, Carney argued his extensive banking experience rendered him the ideal candidate to revitalize the party and lead critical trade negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump. With substantial backing and funds, Carney's unprecedented rise to prime minister reflects a new era for the Liberal Party and Canadian politics.

(With inputs from agencies.)