I understand what you mean, but at this point I don't find it ironic at all. It's been quite similar in my corner of the world, where a leader enjoys great support and visibility externally, but is fairly unpopular internally.
No, but it is a European leader that has ~recently enjoyed that situation, but is no longer in it.
Sorry, but I don't want to spell it out too obviously, for my own privacy.
Mar - Wins Liberal leadership and thus prime ministership. Calls election.
Apr - Liberals easily win election, Carney keeps prime ministership.
Nov - PM's budget passes. A Conservative crosses floor to Liberals.
Dec - Second Conservative crosses floor to Liberals.
The budget being being rejected would've meant another election; the opposition would've rejected it if they were confident they'd win. The two defections means that the liberals are now one member away from a majority. In fact, there was rumoured to be a third defector from the opposition, but he decided to quit politics entirely, presumably after being whipped by the whip.
