Servet Gunerigok and Beyza Binnur Donmez
22 October 2019•Update: 22 October 2019
WASHINGTON
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will serve a second term after his Liberal Party won re-election in polls held Monday.
Trudeau's Liberals will have to seek support from at least one other party in order to pass any legislation, meaning they will form a minority government.
According to preliminary results, the Liberals took 157 seats in the national legislature, 13 short of the 170 needed for a majority.
The other main contender is the Progressive Conservative Party led by Andrew Scheer. They took 121 seats.
The Bloc Quebecois picked up 32 seats, while Jagmeet Singh-led New Democratic Party (NDP) won 24 seats in the parliament.
Canadians voted for individual members of parliament running in electoral districts called ridings. There are 338 ridings, hence 338 seats in the House of Commons.
Trudeau took to the Twitter late Monday to thank his supporters.
"Thank you, Canada, for putting your trust in our team and for having faith in us to move this country in the right direction,” Trudeau tweeted. "Regardless of how you cast your vote, our team will work hard for all Canadians."
Voter turnout was nearly 66%, the CBC reported.
Trudeau, 47, got a key endorsement last week from former U.S. President Barack Obama. But last month, photos surfaced online of Trudeau in blackface and brownface when he was younger. He apologized and called them "unacceptable."
U.S. President Donald Trump was quick to congratulate the prime minister.
"Congratulations to Justin Trudeau on a wonderful and hard fought victory. Canada is well served," Trump said on Twitter. "I look forward to working with you toward the betterment of both of our countries!"
