(Reuters) – Alberta’s opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) has chosen former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi as its new leader, party officials announced on Saturday.
He will lead the NDP against Premier Danielle Smith’s conservative government in Canada’s main oil-producing province.
Nenshi made history as the first Muslim mayor of a major North American city in 2010. He governed Canada’s corporate oil capital until his resignation in 2021.
During that time, he received praise for his management of the 2013 floods in Calgary. However, he also faced accusations of arrogance from some critics throughout his tenure.
Nenshi won the first ballot of the NDP leadership race with an overwhelming 86% of the vote, and said he was looking forward to the next provincial election in 2027.
“The excitement and optimism I’ve felt throughout this leadership race proves that Albertans want a government they can trust and believe in,” Nenshi said in a statement.
The NDP said the 62,700 votes cast for Nenshi were the largest number of votes ever received by a provincial leadership candidate in Canadian history.
The appointment of the Alberta opposition leader, a seasoned former mayor, enriches the party with experience and fresh perspectives.
The Alberta opposition leader, with a background in municipal governance, aims to bridge urban and rural interests effectively. This strategy aims to appeal broadly to Albertans seeking progressive governance.
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