Australia’s Government Loses By-elections, Denting Re-election Prospects

Australia’s Government Loses By-elections, Denting Re-election Prospects
FILE PHOTO: Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (not pictured) address the media following their talks in Berlin, Germany, April 23, 2018. Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo
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SYDNEY—Australia’s ruling coalition government failed to win any of the five by-elections held this weekend, defeats widely seen as an indication that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull faces an uphill challenge to secure re-election.

In what was coined “Super Saturday”, voters in five seats went to the polls after a handful of opposition lawmakers were forced from office after falling foul of the country’s constitution that bans politicians from elected office if they are dual citizens.