Carney began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he worked for 13 years and then served as president of the Central Bank of Canada for 5 years. On the European continent, he gained designation after becoming the first non-British president of the Bank of England in 2013.
The man who appointed him at the time, erstwhile British Conservative Finance Minister George Osborne, said that Carney's global experience will be an asset for both Canada and Western European leaders while facing the challenges posed by US president Donald Trump. Trump had previously threatened to annex Canada and imposed immense customs duties on the country.
Jean-Claude Trichet, erstwhile head of the European Central Bank, said POLITICO that entrusting a foreigner with the rudders of a large central bank "was in no way an apparent decision", but Carney's "unordinary" reputation in banking contributed to his appointment.
“Canadian Mario Draghi”
“Carney will answer primarily to the Canadian people but will surely aid the Western world,” said Osborne in an interview with POLITICO.
— If we want individual at the table who is not intimidated by the journey to the White House, he is not intimidated by the gathering with Donald Trump ... this individual is Mark Carney, Osborne said.
Roland Lescure, who was French Minister of manufacture until September last year, andwho for a short time was considered as the possible prime minister of this country, has known Carney for more than a decade after working in the financial sector in Canada.
Lescure told POLITICO that he frequently contacted Carney while working in the government and stressed that the likely fresh Prime Minister of Canada and French president Emmanuel Macron “they know each another well”, which, in his opinion, would, of course, be a large asset to French-Canadian relations.
Artur Widak / NurPhoto / AFPMark Carney, Edmonton, Canada, 16 January 2025.
— He is simply a bit Canadian Mario Draghim,” said Lescure, comparing Carney to the erstwhile head of the Italian European Central Bank, who remains an influential individual in European circles. Carney himself referred to Draghi in his earlier speeches and seems aware of comparisons with another banker who became Prime Minister of his country.
In his efforts for leadership in the country, a 59-year-old placed himself as an outsider — not a ‘professional politician’, as he points out. But in England, Carney was not afraid to act like a politician to gain acceptance. Those who know Carney of his time spent outside the Atlantic are convinced that he is fit for frontline politics, even though he spent most of his career as a banker alternatively than an official.
“ At that time, he set out to tour the country, what any politician would have done, but it was rather unusual, ” said Osborne.
‘New momentum’
Carney resigned in 2020, rapidly becoming a planet leader in encouraging banks and investors to take climate change seriously.
While trying to distance himself from the incumbent Prime Minister and his falling popularity, Carney, who advised the Liberals under Trudeau, stressed that his advisory work was beyond Canada.
Dave Chan / AFP / AFPJustin Trudeau speaks during a press conference in Ottawa, 4 March 2025.
While working in England, Carney met with criticism from brexit supporters, after informing that leaving the EU was threatening Britain's financial stability. Carney pointed to his experience with brexit as a informing sign against the dangers of right-wing populism. In this year’s parliamentary elections, he can face individual who fits this label, leader of the Conservative organization of Canada Pierre Poilievre.
Whether Carney’s global merit survives the test of time is yet to be seen. It is besides unclear how long Carney will stay in office. The opposition parties promised to force the elections after the parliamentary work resumed. Carney himself may be tempted to do so even earlier. Liberals were preparing for an electoral disaster, but Trudeau's resignation and Trump's threat to Canada gave the current organization a fresh impetus.
A survey aggregate of 338Canada shows that liberals lose to conservatives by just six points, while before the resignation of Trudeau this start was 25 points.
