Canada's governor general back for crisis

OTTAWA, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Political turmoil in Canada prompted Governor General Michaelle Jean to cut short a state tour of four European countries Tuesday, her office in Ottawa said.

Jean wasn't due back from her tour until the weekend but, "in light of the current political situation in Canada," canceled her meetings and was to return Wednesday to Ottawa, the Toronto Star reported.

As the queen's representative, she will have a role to play next week when Parliament returns and a three-party opposition coalition attempts to vote down Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority government.

The coalition announced its plans to vote down the government because of a perceived lack of economic leadership. It would be led by Liberal leader Stephane Dion, who is stepping down May 2 after his party saw an unprecedented defeat in the October federal election.

Harper can short-circuit a non-confidence vote by suspending Parliament until Jan. 24 when a new throne speech and budget would be delivered.

Harper can also ask Jean to dissolve Parliament and call another election, although she also has the power to grant the coalition its request to assume leadership, the Star said.

The Liberals, socialist New Democratic Party and separatist Bloc Quebecois have a total of 163 parliamentary seats to the Conservatives' 143.