Naheed Nenshi, former Calgary mayor, has been elected as the new leader of the Alberta NDP, succeeding Rachel Notley. Nenshi won the leadership race by a landslide, securing 86 percent of the vote. His victory is seen as an endorsement of his “pragmatic” vision for progressive politics in Alberta.
“This indulgent provincial government troubled me deeply,” Nenshi said at the announcement event in Calgary. “Realizing I have a political home here in the Alberta NDP has been profound.”
Nenshi’s candidacy significantly boosted the NDP’s membership, which grew fivefold to over 85,000 members. His victory marks his first foray into partisan politics after serving as Calgary’s mayor until 2021. Nenshi emphasized the urgent need to counter the policies of Premier Danielle Smith, criticizing the UCP’s direction.
Nenshi now leads the party’s 38 MLAs and replaces Notley, who stepped down after two consecutive electoral defeats to the UCP. In her farewell speech, Notley urged members to unite and aim for victory in the 2027 elections.