Martin Poised to Become Next Canadian PM

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Martin Poised to Become Next Canadian PM

Canadian Delegates Poised to Put Paul Martin in Line to Succeed Chretien As Prime Minister

The Associated Press


TORONTO Sept. 21 —
Former Finance Minister Paul Martin took a huge lead Sunday in a Liberal Party vote to choose Jean Chretien's successor, making him almost certain to become Canada's next prime minister.

In unofficial figures supplied by the Liberal Party, Martin had 2,420 delegate votes so far approaching the more than 2,900 needed for a first-ballot victory at the November convention to select a replacement for Chretien. He has announced he will retire in February.

Under Canada's political system, the head of the majority party in Parliament is prime minister. If Martin gets the Liberal leadership as expected, he automatically would become the head of government when Chretien steps down.

If he gains office, Martin is expected to focus on improving Canadian-U.S. relations that were hurt by personal differences between Chretien and Bush. Canada refused to take part in the Iraq war, and Bush later canceled a May visit.

Martin, 65, is expected to maintain the same fiscal policies as Chretien, though he has left room to change recent proposed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage and decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

more: http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20030921_1195.html