/asia
SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Australia's next federal election will be held November 24, Prime Minister John Howard announced Sunday at a news conference in Canberra.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard is the country's second-longest serving prime minister.
The results could see one of the United States' staunchest remaining allies in Iraq lose power to the anti-war opposition.
"This country does not need new leadership, this country does not need old leadership. It needs the right leadership," Howard said in making the announcement.
His remarks came after he made the traditional visit to the Queen's representative, Governor-General Major-General Michael Jeffery, asking him for permission to dissolve the parliament. The action paves the way for the six-week election campaign period to begin.
Howard, Australia's second-longest-serving prime minister, has previously won re-election three times. He is running for his fifth term in the upcoming election against Labor party leader Kevin Rudd.
Howard's Liberal Party/National Party coalition is facing an uphill battle, as recent polls show a majority of Australian voters are looking for a change in leadership. E-mail to a friend 
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