The Australian Labor Party will form the country's new federal government tomorrow, Monday, as unprecedented support for the Greens and independent environmentalist candidates helped bring an end to nearly a decade of conservative rule.
The center-left Labor Party remained four to five seats short of a majority in the House of Commons (approximately 72, while 76 out of 151 are needed) with about ten seats still to be decided, according to Australian television network ABC News.
It may therefore need the support of independent or smaller parties to return to power for the first time since 2013.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese announced that he will be sworn in as the 31st prime minister tomorrow, Monday, before leaving for Tokyo to attend the Quad meeting on Tuesday, alongside US President Joe Biden and the prime ministers of Japan, Fumio Kishida, and India, Narendra Modi.
«I want to change the country. I want to change politics in this country,» Mr Albanese told reporters in a Sydney suburb.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern were among the first foreign leaders to congratulate Mr Albanese on his victory, and they were joined today by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Many of the Liberal Party's incumbents under outgoing Prime Minister Scott Morrison were defeated in their traditional strongholds by independent candidates — mainly women, who emphasized taking action on climate change, gender equality, and integrity in their campaigns. The independents and the Greens' strong performance also reduced Labor's share of the vote.
Mr. Morrison, who will step down as leader of the Liberals, spoke to his supporters and followers at a church today. «You have given us a great foundation to walk on (...) a very difficult road (...) for the last almost four years,» he said, sounding emotional.
The final official results may not be announced until several days have passed. The counting of 2.7 million postal votes—a record number—will begin this afternoon.
If no party has a majority of seats in the next House of Representatives, independents will have the opportunity to influence the policies of the new government, especially on climate change and the effort to create a national commission responsible for fighting corruption.
Labour deputy leader Richard Marles expressed hope, however, that Labour would ultimately secure enough seats to govern alone.
Barnaby Joyce, leader of the junior partner in the outgoing Liberal-National Party coalition government, stressed that the country needs a «strong government» that must be supported but also held accountable. «So we must go from being a good government to being a good opposition,» Mr. Joyce told Sky News.
