In Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has succeeded in shutting down Parliament to avoid a vote that would have thrown him out of office. Three opposition parties formed a coalition to oust Harper after he tried to introduce a series of controversial measures, including an attempt to end public financing of election campaigns. Harper said he would try to push through a new budget when parliament reconvenes.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper: “On my advice, the Governor General has agreed to prorogue Parliament. Last Friday, I asked Canadians to give us their opinions on the parliamentary situation. That feedback has been overwhelming and very clear. They want Canada’s government to continue to work on the agenda that Canadians voted for: our plan to strengthen the economy. When Parliament resumes on January 26, the first order of business will be the presentation of a federal budget.”

Harper’s Conservative Party won a narrow re-election in October with just 37 percent of the popular vote. It’s the first time in Canadian history a prime minister has sought to shut down Parliament to avoid a no-confidence measure.