WHITEHORSE – With the outcome far from certain in the Yukon territorial election on November 7th, other nations across the globe have been increasingly anxious about who will become Premier.
The upcoming vote for the second-most populous territory in Canada has been closely watched by US media outlets for the past two years.
Last week, world markets were sent into a tailspin when a recent poll showed the governing Yukon Party virtually tied with the Yukon Liberal Party, and the Yukon NDP close behind.
According to Sean Trende of RealClearPolitics, hourly polling of Yukon residents have demonstrated that it could come down to a single vote to determine the next government. “Our website has crashed repeatedly from millions of viewers trying to see the latest likeability poll between Premier Darrell Pasloski, Liberal Leader Sandy Silver and NDP Leader Liz Hanson. Americans are also concerned about fourth party candidates such as Green Party Leader Frank de Jong splitting the vote.”
US Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both said they will be biting their nails as the first results trickle in on Monday night. “Whatever the outcome is, I am calling for calm in the Yukon,” announced Clinton in a campaign stop in Florida.
“The swing riding of Vuntut Gwitchin will be key to a Liberal victory,” explained Fox News commentator Charles Krauthammer. “If all 165 voters show up to the polls, Silver may pull off an upset, unless [Yukon Party] Darius Elias crosses the floor again back to the Grits.”
Russia has made an effort to influence the outcome of the election by conducting two military drills in near Herschel Island in response the NDP’s proposal to improve Yukon College.
According to CNN, the race has been very divisive. Wolf Blitzer explained “Locals who support opposing parties will only say ‘Hello, how are you?’ to each other rather than sharing long anecdotes about recent hunting or hiking trips. Whoever is declared Premier at the end of this will have to do a lot a reuniting the territory, if it’s not already too late.”
