Under pressure from his own party, Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister of Canada.
The party now faces a new chapter and a challenging election campaign.
After nine years in office, Trudeau declared on Monday that he will step down. However, he will continue to serve as Prime Minister until the Liberal Party elects a new leader. This process, expected to be comprehensive, is set to conclude by March 24. Parliament will remain in recess until then.
The BBC reports this development.
"If I have to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best choice for the next election," Trudeau said during a press conference in Ottawa.
The Liberal Party is grappling with declining support ahead of the federal election, scheduled no later than October 20.
Trudeau's personal popularity has fallen to record lows, and calls for his resignation intensified in December following the sudden departure of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Freeland's resignation, partially attributed to Donald Trump's tariff threats on Canadian goods, marked a pivotal moment for Trudeau's leadership.
Simultaneously, the Liberal Party lost the support of coalition partners such as the New Democratic Party and Bloc Québécois, further weakening its minority government.
A New Leader to Be Elected
Sachit Mehra, president of the Liberal Party, announced that the party's executive committee will convene this week to initiate the leadership election process.
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party was quick to criticize Trudeau and his party:
"The change of leader changes nothing. Every Liberal MP has supported everything Trudeau has done over the past nine years," he wrote on Platform X.
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet suggested that a snap election should be called once the new Liberal leader is in place.
Trudeau's Legacy
As the son of iconic Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeau entered the political stage promising progressive change and “sunny ways.”
During his tenure, he spearheaded reforms such as the legalization of cannabis, tax-free child benefits, and a gender-balanced cabinet.
However, his time in office was also marred by scandals and criticism. Controversial photos, government ethics violations, and pandemic-related controversies eroded public confidence in his leadership.
Despite these setbacks, Trudeau’s efforts have been commended in certain areas. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, Chair of the First Nations, highlighted his progress on Indigenous rights:
"His work has laid a foundation for future governments," she said.
With a new leader on the horizon, the Liberal Party faces an uphill battle against a strong Conservative Party, which has led the polls for months.
