Prime Minister Albanese’s left center wins the legislative elections, according to first projections – Liberation

After a campaign marked by purchasing power, the environment and American customs dutiesthe Labor Party led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese won the legislative elections in Australia this Saturday, May 3, May 3, according to the projections of the ABC public channel on the basis of the first results. Shortly after, the head of government of the center left claimed victory, during a speech before his supporters in Sydney: « Thank you to the Australian people for giving me the chance to continue to serve the best nation in the world », he launched.

The ballot even turns to the debacle for the conservative opposition. His chief and candidate for the post of Prime Minister, Peter Dutton, loses his seat in Parliament for the benefit of his opponent of the Labor Party, projects the public broadcaster ABC on the basis of partial results of the legislative election in his constituency. The leader of the Liberal Party has also conceded the defeat of his camp: « I called the Prime Minister to congratulate him on his success ”, said Dutton, adding: « We did not do well enough during this campaign – this is obvious today, and I take full responsibility. »

From desert localities to coastal cities, the inhabitants of the Oceanian country were called upon to choose between the camps of two old truckers of national political life: The head of government of the center left Anthony Albanese – in power for three years – and his conservative opponent Peter Dutton. Voting objectives: Choosing the 150 members of the next legislature in the lower chamber and renewing about half of the Senate.

Anthony Albanese, 62, promised to develop renewable energiesfight against the housing crisis and further finance the health system. “In the polls, there are many undecided voters. We have to lift mountains ”, He had admitted on Friday, on the eve of the election.

Peter Dutton, leader of the Liberal Party, had predicted « Many surprises, seat after seat »saying that he « Not met a single Australian during this campaign who said he got better » that in 2022, during the last legislative elections. This former police officer of the 54 -year -old drug brigade said he wanted to reduce immigration, attack delinquency and get rid of a civil nuclear prohibition in the country.

The electoral campaign was jostled in its first days by The commercial offensive of American president Donald Trump : Australia, a long-standing ally of the United States, is the subject of American customs duties by 10 % on a large part of its goods.

Some polls show that support for the conservatives has ledly due to Donald Trump’s policy, described as « Great thinker » by Peter Dutton at the start of the year. « If I had to fight with Donald Trump or any other leader to defend the interests of our nation, I would do it in a flash »however assured Peter Dutton in April, testifying to a change of tone. Anthony Albanese for his part condemned American surcharge, seeing it An act of« Economic self -destruction » and a « Unworthy gesture from a (country) friend ».

The economy concerns voters, many Australian households struggling to cope with the increase in the prices of milk, bread, electricity or even oil. Albanese and Dutton both argued their popular origins – without having managed to give the exact price of a dozen eggs during a television debate.

Voters from Australia, a giant of coal production, also had to decide between two leaders with contrasting visions on climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Anthony Albanese’s Labor Government has promised to make Australia a superpower of renewable energies even if he has granted permits to new mining projects and subsidies to polluting industries. Peter Dutton, on the other hand, proposed to build seven nuclear reactors for 200 billion US dollars and at the same time turn renewable energies.

The stake of the ballot was also whether the winning camp would win a majority or not, at the risk of having to deal with minority training. The growing disinterest of voters vis-à-vis the two major parties has embarked on independent training requiring more transparency and climate measures.

Update : At 2:30 p.m., with Albanese’s speech claiming victory.