Canadian Prime Minister resigns ahead of ‘competitive election’
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that he is stepping down after nearly a decade in power. His resignation follows mounting internal party battles and widespread calls for him to quit amidst waning public support for his leadership.
The 53-year-old leader, who has governed Canada since 2015, revealed he will remain in office until the ruling Liberal Party selects a new leader.
“I am a fighter, and I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this,” Trudeau said during a news conference at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa.
“But I have always been driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians, and by what is in the best interests of Canadians — and Canadians deserve a real choice in the next election.
“It has become obvious to me, with the internal battles, that I cannot be the one to carry the liberal standard into the next election,” he added.
Trudeau’s announcement follows grim polling that suggests his Liberal Party would face a crushing defeat to the opposition Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, if he remained leader in the next federal election, which must be held by late October.
In response to the political crisis, Parliament, originally scheduled to resume on January 27, will now remain suspended until March 24 to allow the Liberal Party to conduct a “robust, nationwide competitive” leadership race. Trudeau confirmed that he has asked the party president to begin the leadership selection process.
“It’s time for a reset,” Trudeau said, criticising the recent lack of productivity in Parliament.
“It’s time for the temperature to come down, for the people to have a fresh start in Parliament, to be able to navigate through these complex times,” he added.
Trudeau’s leadership has come under fire in recent years due to soaring inflation, housing crises, and controversial government spending. Public criticism escalated last month after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland abruptly resigned, accusing Trudeau of “political gimmicks” and opposing his proposed fiscal policies.
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International tensions have also mounted, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods unless Canada addresses border concerns.
Trudeau, the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, revitalised the Liberal Party when he assumed leadership in 2013, ultimately propelling it to a historic victory in 2015. During his tenure, he championed progressive policies such as women’s rights and climate change initiatives, securing two re-elections and becoming one of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers.
Despite his resignation, Trudeau criticised opposition leader Poilievre, asserting, “We need an ambitious, optimistic view of the future, and Pierre Poilievre is not offering that.”
Poilievre gained prominence in 2022 for supporting protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, cementing his status as a conservative firebrand and Trudeau’s key rival.
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