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Informist, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025

 

NEW DELHI - Justin Trudeau on Monday announced he would step down as Canada's prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party after his party elects a new leader. Trudeau announced his decision at a press conference in Ottawa in the wake of rising discontent over his leadership. 

 

"I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process. 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," Trudeau said, adding that he had asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin the process of selecting a new leader.

 

The Canadian prime minister said his country's parliament would be suspended until Mar. 24 while a new leader was chosen.

 

"This morning, I advised the governor general that we need a new session of parliament. She has granted this request, and the House will now be prorogued until March 24," he said.

 

Trudeau assumed the office of Canada's prime minister in November 2015, and was re-elected twice. While he has been one of Canada's longest-serving prime ministers, his popularity took a hit two years ago amid widespread anger over high prices and a housing shortage. According to reports, opinion polls showed that the Liberal Party would lose the upcoming elections, after which Trudeau faced immense pressure from his party colleagues. Canada will go to polls later this year and must have a new government in place before Oct. 20.

 

A few months ago, Trudeau lost the support of a key ally, leading to a vote of no-confidence against the prime minister in Parliament. Despite this, he managed to gather the support of other small parties to form a coalition, ensuring the survival of his minority government.

 

Dissatisfied with his leadership over the past few months, several senior Liberal Party members, including Sean Casey and Ken McDonald, publicly called for Trudeau's resignation. According to reports, more than 20 members of the party even signed a petition demanding his departure. 

 

However, the death knell came with Chrystia Freeland's resignation in December. Freeland, Trudeau's deputy prime minister and finance minister, left due to policy disagreements, particularly over Trudeau's handling of potential US tariffs and his economic strategy. In her resignation letter, she criticised Trudeau and his "costly political gimmicks".  End

 

Reported by Kuldeep Singh

Edited by Avishek Dutta

 

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