Tory victory makes headlines around world
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 | 6:19 AM ET
CBC News
In covering the Tory minority victory, the New York Times described Harper as a "free-market economist who expressed strong support for Washington at the time of the American-led invasion of Iraq."
- FROM JAN. 23, 2006: Conservatives celebrate minority government victory
The newspaper's online site goes on to say how Harper "shares the Bush administration's skepticism of the Kyoto climate control protocol, which Canada has signed and ratified."
The Times also talks about how Liberal Leader Paul Martin "ratcheted up criticism of American trade policies and caustically criticized Washington during the campaign."
- FROM JAN. 23, 2006: Martin to quit as Liberal leader, describes 'privilege to serve'
The BBC's website, meanwhile, said the election was "triggered by a public inquiry that found Liberal politicians in Quebec had taken kickbacks in return for government contracts."
The BBC said "The corruption scandals that have beset the Liberals in recent years seemed to stick this time," but noted that Harper "will need partners to govern."
ABC News online in Australia described Harper as "the first Conservative Prime Minister in Canada 13 years."
The site said: "His opponents have tried to portray him as a radical social conservative, something he denies. He campaigned on promises to clean up corruption, reduce taxation and bring in smaller government."
And CNN.com, with its headline "Canada goes Conservative," also gave prominence to the Harper win.
"The Conservatives won the most seats in the 308-seat House of Commons, despite a campaign in which Liberals tried to stop Harper by linking him to American conservatives in general – and President Bush in particular."
CNN noted Harper's stand to "not bring Canada into the U.S. coalition in Iraq" and how he expressed his "great disappointment that weapons of mass destruction had not been found."
