Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as Liberal Party leader. He will remain as Canadian prime minister until the party has chosen a successor.
It’s the end of a nine-year stint in office, as pressure grew from within his Liberal Party which is trailing significantly behind the opposition Conservatives in the polls.
Trudeau made the announcement from his Rideau Cottage residence.
Sources had previously told The Globe and Mail that Trudeau’s resignation was likely to happen before an emergency meeting for the Liberals on Wednesday.
The row inside Trudeau’s party broke out after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced a proposal to introduce 25 percent tariffs on the country.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland unexpectedly stepped down in mid-December, citing differences with Trudeau on how to approach Trump’s presidency and tariff proposals.
But pressure had already been growing on Trudeau from within the party as its popularity collapsed in the polls.
Canada is already due to hold a general election by the end of October this year.
Key Points
Trudeau to make announcement at 10:45 local time
Justin Trudeau’s political career in dates
Trudeau’s popularity collapse laid bare by poll tracker
What will happen if Trudeau resigns?
What is the Trump-Trudeau tariff row all about?
Justin Trudeau likely to resign this week – reports
‘I am not someone who backs away from a fight’
Justin Trudeau said, “As you all know, I am a fighter, and I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this one is.”
“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, and 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,” the outgoing prime minister argued.
“Last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I sharing with you today,” he said Monday.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” he added. “Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”
What may happen next
Under the constitution of the Liberal Party, the leader can hand in his or her resignation at any point, leading to a leadership contest, which usually takes a few months.
But that process may be sped up as an election is set to be held in Canada on or before 20 October.
A snap election could be held if Trudeau calls for one or if parliament passes a no-confidence vote. (Agencies)
