Canadians began voting on Monday in an election that that threatens to knock Justin Trudeau from power. Trudeau gambled on an early election in a bid to win a majority of seats in Parliament.
Polls indicate Trudeau's Liberal Party is in a tight race with the rival Conservatives: It will likely win the most seats in Parliament, but still fail to get a majority, forcing it to rely on an opposition party to pass legislation.
Polling stations opened first in the Atlantic coast province of Newfoundland.
“Trudeau made an incredibly stupid error in judgement,” said Robert Bothwell, a professor of Canadian history and international relations at the University of Toronto. Trudeau entered the election leading a stable minority government that wasn't under threat of being toppled.
The opposition has been relentless in accusing Trudeau of calling the early vote — two years before the deadline — for his own personal ambition.