Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau announces resignation ahead of election
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The news: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday (early Tuesday morning AEDT) he will resign as Liberal Party leader and prime minister after nine years in power.
Under pressure from his party and facing plummeting polls ahead of an election this year, Trudeau said at a press conference he will step down after the party selects a successor through a nationwide leadership race.
The context: Trudeau, 53, currently the longest-serving leader of any Group of Seven country, will stay on in both roles until the process is complete, he said. Parliament, which was due to reopen later this month, will be suspended until 24 March to facilitate the leadership transition.
He cited internal party pressures and his inability to fight both internal and external battles effectively. His resignation comes amid growing internal dissent, declining public support and controversy over his leadership.
Public anger over rising prices and a housing shortage has persisted for years, eroding Trudeau’s popularity.
Then, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s December resignation, following Trudeau’s attempt to demote her, fuelled criticism of his leadership and intensified calls for him to step aside.
An Ipsos poll in December revealed 73% of Canadians, including 43% of Liberal voters, believed he should step down.
The leadership transition is seen as a necessary step to restore party unity and competitiveness before the October 2025 general election.
What they said: Trudeau urged Canadians to support the next Liberal leader, calling for a reset in Parliament as the country faces political challenges and economic uncertainties, including US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian imports.
“I intend to resign as party leader and as prime minister after the party selects a new leader,” he said.
“I reflected over the holidays and told my family last night. It’s time for a reset. It’s time for the temperature to come down, for the people to have a fresh start in Parliament.”
“This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”
“The vision the leader of the Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre, has for Canada is a dark one. I believe there’s a better leader than myself to confront Poilievre in the upcoming federal elections."
“Removing myself from the equation should help address polarization, improve the functioning of the Canadian Parliament, and put the country on a better path to vote in the federal elections.”
The sources: Bloomberg , The New York Times , Reuters
