In unusual support of a Canadian politician by a former American president, Barack Obama on Thursday endorsed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
This is Obama’s second time doing it. Obama also urged Canadians to keep Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader in the country’s upcoming general election in 2019.
After Trudeau’s election, Obama expressed his admiration for the Canadian leader in a series of tweets published on Thursday.
Prior to Monday’s parliamentary elections, Trudeau faces a tight re-election battle with his Conservative opponent. Trudeau benefited in 2019 from Obama’s support among lefties.
As for the 2017 French presidential race, Obama endorsed Emmanuel Macron and advised British citizens against quitting the European Union.
When Obama was president, Trudeau and he grew close.
Trudeau thanked President Barack Obama on Twitter, writing, “Thanks for your support, @BarackObama.” “Progress is on the ballot, and we’re going to keep working for it.”
Many Canadians have fond memories of the former president.
According to University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman; “this is welcomed by Trudeau and Co. but it is not a surprise.” “Will Obama’s support make a difference? Because there aren’t many people who haven’t made up their minds, Obama’s endorsement will have a minor effect. It’s more of a symbol of the liberal-democratic alliance that has existed since JFK’s presidency in the 1960s.”
A political scientist at McGill University named Daniel Béland thinks it will only help Trudeau win over more liberal supporters.
“Obama remains very popular in Canada and, although it’s unlikely to alter the race, this is something positive for the Liberals,” Béland said.
In August; Trudeau called a snap election to make sure that Canadian people approved of the Liberal Party’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. He’s been in office since then.
President Biden has remained silent on Trudeau’s behalf in the run-up to the election on Monday. Early in August, President Obama phoned Trudeau to “underline” the deep ties between the United States and Canada.