Australian PM Future Safeguarded in Crucial Sydney By-Election

Supporters of Liberal MP John Alexander pack away banners outside a polling station at the close of voting in the suburban Sydney seat of Bennelong on Dec. 16, 2017. Alexander won back his seat in the Bennelong by-election after losing it due to his being a dual citizen. Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images

SYDNEY–Australia’s centre-right coalition government regained its razor-thin parliamentary majority on Saturday after inner Sydney voters re-elected a former professional tennis player in a special poll triggered by a constitutional crisis.

The Coalition’s victory in Bennelong – historically a “blue ribbon“ safe seat for the Liberal Party – is a much-needed relief for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.