Canadian liberals prevent a majority conservative government

In the first general election to be held in a G7 nation since the credit crunch struck, Stéphane Dion's Liberal party lost 18 seats, but is still the second party. Although Stephen Harper, the Conservative leader, hoped to gain a majority by holding a snap election, he has been disappointed. Though he is clearly in a stronger position, he will still have to seek coalition partners in order to form a government.