Australia’s center-left Labor government has secured reelection in a stunning political comeback fueled partly by voter reaction to President Donald Trump’s disruptive trade policies and their impact on the U.S. ally. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s party was projected to retain its parliamentary majority Saturday, completing a remarkable turnaround for a leader who trailed in polls just two months ago.

With approximately 40 percent of votes counted, Australian Broadcasting Corporation projections showed Labor on track to maintain control of parliament, delivering Albanese a second term and marking the latest international election influenced by Trump’s economic policies. The outcome represents a significant setback for opposition leader Peter Dutton, whose conservative coalition not only lost the election but saw Dutton himself defeated in his own parliamentary seat. “Trump has absolutely dominated the trajectory of this election,” said Sean Kelly, a political columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald, adding that global uncertainty caused by Trump’s policies had made “Albanese’s boringness quite an appealing commodity.”

The Australian election follows a similar pattern to Canada’s vote earlier this week, where Prime Minister Mark Carney’s center-left government also rode anti-Trump sentiment to victory. Trump’s tariffs – initially 25 percent on Australian aluminum and steel, later expanded to a 10 percent blanket tariff – significantly damaged public confidence in the U.S. relationship while raising fears of economic downturn. “Around the world, Mr. Trump’s unpopularity presents an opportunity to center-left political parties,” noted Michael Fullilove, executive director of the Lowy Institute, a Sydney think tank.

Dutton’s campaign was further undermined by his embrace of Trump-like rhetoric and proposals, including promises to implement an Australian version of the controversial U.S. DOGE Service and waging culture war campaigns against diversity initiatives. As Trump’s tariffs began affecting the Australian economy, these positions became increasingly problematic, with opponents labeling him “DOGE-y Dutton” and “Temu Trump.” Liberal senator James Paterson acknowledged the impact, telling ABC, “One factor we can all acknowledge and recognize is the Trump factor. It was devastating in Canada for the Conservatives where the Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost 20 points over the course of a few months. And I think it has been a factor here.” Analysts also pointed to Dutton’s campaign missteps, including late policy announcements and embarrassing flip-flops on key issues, as contributing factors in his defeat.

(CP) WASHINGTON – Reported by Victoria Hayes.