Tim Pierce

Now, Merz's Christian Democrats are seen as center-right, but the coalition includes left-wing lawmakers as well at the expense of the right-wing Alternative for Germany. AFD, as it's called, is topping German opinion polls right now, even though German intelligence classified it as a threat to democracy last week. Now, the Trump administration took issue with that.

Now, Merz's Christian Democrats are seen as center-right, but the coalition includes left-wing lawmakers as well at the expense of the right-wing Alternative for Germany. AFD, as it's called, is topping German opinion polls right now, even though German intelligence classified it as a threat to democracy last week. Now, the Trump administration took issue with that.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it tyranny in disguise.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it tyranny in disguise.

Hey, Georgia, the Liberal Party of Canada has been in power for nearly 10 years. Last week marked their fourth consecutive win with Mark Carney as prime minister. But they aren't nearly as popular as that showing would lead you to believe. Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau, was so unpopular that he had to step down to avoid a total electoral blowout.

Hey, Georgia, the Liberal Party of Canada has been in power for nearly 10 years. Last week marked their fourth consecutive win with Mark Carney as prime minister. But they aren't nearly as popular as that showing would lead you to believe. Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau, was so unpopular that he had to step down to avoid a total electoral blowout.

And the Liberal surge in the polls happened around the same time that Trump started floating the idea that Canada should become America's 51st state. Carney will visit the White House Tuesday and is looking forward to a productive conversation.

And the Liberal surge in the polls happened around the same time that Trump started floating the idea that Canada should become America's 51st state. Carney will visit the White House Tuesday and is looking forward to a productive conversation.

Many Canadians, particularly on Canada's more densely populated east, rallied around Carney as the best man to take on Trump. But recent polling suggests that some Canadians would rather be a part of the U.S. or their own independent country rather than remain under a liberal government.

Many Canadians, particularly on Canada's more densely populated east, rallied around Carney as the best man to take on Trump. But recent polling suggests that some Canadians would rather be a part of the U.S. or their own independent country rather than remain under a liberal government.

Three in 10 voters from Alberta and roughly one in three from neighboring Saskatchewan said that they would support leaving the country if Carney won. At least 20% in each province would have supported secession, even if he lost.

Three in 10 voters from Alberta and roughly one in three from neighboring Saskatchewan said that they would support leaving the country if Carney won. At least 20% in each province would have supported secession, even if he lost.

That's true, but it's also worth noting that Quebec, a province with a large, influential, openly separatist party, also reported that 30% support for separation. Quebecois separatists have existed for centuries, and the Bloc Quebecois has been a major force in Canadian politics for decades.

That's true, but it's also worth noting that Quebec, a province with a large, influential, openly separatist party, also reported that 30% support for separation. Quebecois separatists have existed for centuries, and the Bloc Quebecois has been a major force in Canadian politics for decades.

By contrast, Western separatism is younger, less organized, and so far has been more of a grassroots phenomenon. But as of now, it appears to be just as intense.

By contrast, Western separatism is younger, less organized, and so far has been more of a grassroots phenomenon. But as of now, it appears to be just as intense.

There are many factors, but most of them are economic. The interior tends to be more conservative. It's worth noting, though, that Canadian conservatives are not like conservatives in the U.S. In Canada, they're mainly concerned with economics but are still liberal on social issues.

There are many factors, but most of them are economic. The interior tends to be more conservative. It's worth noting, though, that Canadian conservatives are not like conservatives in the U.S. In Canada, they're mainly concerned with economics but are still liberal on social issues.

So Canada's prairie provinces are younger, wealthier, less densely populated, and more dependent on resource extraction. mining, drilling, exporting oil. That's put them into conflict with the federal government, which has taken steps to restrict the construction of pipelines and refineries. Conservative leader Pierre Polyev made that a major issue during the campaign.

So Canada's prairie provinces are younger, wealthier, less densely populated, and more dependent on resource extraction. mining, drilling, exporting oil. That's put them into conflict with the federal government, which has taken steps to restrict the construction of pipelines and refineries. Conservative leader Pierre Polyev made that a major issue during the campaign.