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Kevin Rudd heads Australian Government

57 members of the governing Labour Council backed Rudd as new leader of the party

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

SYDNEY, June 27. /ITAR-TASS reporter Pavel Vanichkin /. New leader of ruling Labour Party Kevin Rudd has become Prime Minister of Australia. Today, he took the oath before Governor-General.

On Wednesday, 57 members of the governing Labour Council expressed themselves in favor of Rudd as new leader of the party. 45 expressed their support for Julia Gillard, who became prime minister in 2010.

Rudd’s comeback to the forefront of high politics and to the premiership is attributed by local political observers to the fall of Gillard government's popularity. According to opinion polls, more and more Australians give preference to the main opposition force - the Liberal-National coalition.

On September 14, the country will hold parliamentary elections. With the change of the leader the Labor Party hopes if not win the September election, then at least do not suffer a crushing defeat.

Rudd has been leading the Labor Party and the government from 2007 to 2010.

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