Australia Swears in Anthony Albanese as New Prime Minister

The Australian Greens, who previously had one representative in the parliament’s lower house, have won two additional seats. The left-wing environmentalist party is expected to support Albanese if Labor does not achieve a majority.

Independent candidates, some of which could also support Labor, were also scoring well in a number of seats.

Because it’s clear that the Coalition would not be in a position to govern, even with support from independents, Albanese’s early swearing-in was possible on the basis that he is the only viable next prime minister, even if he ends up having to lead a minority government.

Albanese’s Labor, the Greens, and a number of independent candidates ran on platforms that proposed tougher action on climate change. Albanese has said he wants to turn Australia into a “renewable energy superpower.”

Sources: AFP, dpa, Reuters