London - Prime Minister David Cameron was celebrating a surprise victory in Britain's general election Friday but thorny issues such as Europe and Scotland mean his second term could be even tougher than his first.
Cameron's Conservatives have won enough seats in the House of Commons to govern alone, ending their five-year coalition with the Liberal Democrats, but their majority is slim.
As a result Cameron risks being buffeted by rebellious lawmakers in his own party, particularly over a referendum on leaving Europe promised by 2017, as well as by the Scottish National Party (SNP), which has surged to become the third biggest party.
The 48-year-old prime minister's pledge to leave Downing Street before the next election in 2020 also leaves him vulnerable, experts say.
"Cameron returns now to 10 Downing Street for a maximum stay of three years," said Professor Patrick Dunleavy of the London School of Economics (LSE).
"He must step down by mid-2018 at the latest to allow his successor a decent run up to the polls.
"In the interim some bleak challenges will have to be faced by a government with a newly fragile majority."
AFP
