Chernushenko announces Green Party leadership bid
Last updated Mar 30 2006 04:28 PM EST
CBC News
Ottawa Centre Green candidate David Chernushenko announced Thursday he plans to run for party leadership.
"I've been asked by quite a number of members of the party to run, and to be that person to lead us to the next level," he told CBC.
The deputy leader of the Green Party admits it faces an uphill battle, but he hopes to break through with an elected candidate in the next election.
The biggest challenge for alternative candidates comes from the first-past-the-post electoral system, he says.
"There's always that strategic voting," he said. "People are saying, 'I'd really like to vote for you but if I don't think you can win, I'll have to go for my second choice.'"
The Green Party won 4.5 per cent of the popular vote in the recent federal election, but none of its members was elected.
By comparison, the Bloc Quebecois won 10.5 per cent of the vote, and earned 51 seats in the House of Commons.
Jim Harris has been leader of the Greens for almost four years, but has not yet stated whether he will run for another term.
The Green Party holds leadership elections every two years.
The national leadership convention will be held on Aug. 24-27 in Ottawa.
