Australia’s prime minister gains election high – also because of Trump

Huge jubilee at Australia’s laboratory party: The Social Democrats of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have clearly won the eagerly awaited parliamentary election – and, according to media calculations, can continue to rule with an absolute majority. The 62-year-old-called « Albo » in short-is the first head of government for more than 20 years to take a second term.

The Australian broadcaster ABC showed pictures of loudly cheering laboratory supporters in the red party color. Because just a few hours after the polling stations were closed, according to the calculations of various media, it was clear that the party came to the 76 seats, which is necessary for an absolute majority in the 150-member lower house. Most surveys had seen Albanese before the election before his challenger.

Australia chose optimism and determination at a time of global uncertainty, says Albanese with thunderous applause. « It means so much that people in Australia have again put their trust in the laboratory party in these uncertain times. »

Parallels to Canada

Former Interior and Defense Minister Peter Dutton had stumbled into the election campaign for controversial statements and his obvious proximity to the policy of US President Donald Trump. He had been traded as a more likely winner in February. Albanese, who, according to surveys, is not particularly popular among the population, played the hands of this.

Australian media moved parallels to Canada, where the conservatives had also lost the election a few days ago for similar reasons. Among other things, Dutton had announced that it would relieve more than 40,000 state employees and ban mobile work for public employees. Later he moved away from these positions because of increasing criticism.

Dutton takes over « full responsibility »

His plan to have the first nuclear power plants built on the continent in Australia also turned out to be the own goal. Surprisingly, the 54-year-old even lost his own headquarters in Dixon in Queensland, which he has held for 20 years.

« We didn’t do a good election campaign, this is obvious tonight, » said Dutton in front of party members. « I take full responsibility for this. » He congratulated Albanese on the phone. « This is a historic moment for the laboratory party, and we recognize that, » he emphasized.

In the swimming trunks in the polling station

The central election campaign topic were the high cost of living and the acute lack of affordable living space. Both Albanese and Dutton had promised to reduce the financial pressure on the population.

The crowds in the polling stations were large all day, although in Australia, election obligation also applies. Some of them went straight from the beach into swimming trunks-in a typical loose « Aussie » manner.

In front of many polling stations, people were able to fortify themselves with a democracy sausage immediately after levy. The « Democracy Sausages » have long been part of every choice in Down Under and are a kind of national symbol, such as Koalas or Sydney’s opera house. It is a kind of hot dog (bratwurst in the roll with onions and ketchup). The proceeds go to charity.

Tradition is now also popular far beyond the borders of Down Under: Even at the Australian research station Casey Station in Antarctica, there should be democracy sausages for the telephone letting.

According to the election commission, more than eight million eligible voters had voted on either postal voting or early voting before the election day. That is about 45 percent of those entitled to vote. If you don’t vote in Australia, a fine of the equivalent of 11 euros must expect.