Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has decided to step down from his position, citing “internal battles” within his party that have led him to conclude that he is “not the best option” for the upcoming election.
On Monday, Trudeau announced that he has requested the president of the Liberal Party to initiate the process of selecting a new leader. His decision follows increasing dissatisfaction with his leadership, which has been exacerbated by the sudden resignation of his finance minister last year, indicating growing instability in his government.
To facilitate the transition, Parliament is set to be suspended until March 24, a move that allows for a leadership contest within the Liberal Party, as proceedings were originally scheduled to restart on January 27.
Despite the mounting challenges, Trudeau, who became Canada’s second-youngest prime minister when elected in 2015, had still planned to pursue a fourth term. He expressed his dedication to Canada by stating, “I have always been driven by my love for Canada,” and characterized himself as a fighter.
In related political developments, the support from the New Democratic Party (NDP), which had bolstered Trudeau’s government for years, has begun to wane. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh responded to Trudeau’s resignation by asserting that the Liberal Party has lost the trust of the public, declaring, “It doesn’t matter who the next Liberal is. They’ve let you down. They do not deserve another chance.” Singh pledged that the NDP would vote against the government as soon as a confidence vote arose.
Additionally, the president of the Liberal Party announced plans to convene a national board meeting later this week, beginning a “nationwide democratic process” to find a new party leader.
Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, who resigned last month, has publicly expressed gratitude towards Trudeau, acknowledging his contributions and wishing him well for the future. Freeland is considered a potential candidate for leadership, having been a prominent figure in Trudeau’s cabinet. In his remarks about Freeland, Trudeau called her “an incredible political partner” and expressed a desire for her to remain as his deputy.
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party weighed in on Trudeau’s announcement. In a video message, he claimed that Canadians looking to move on from what he termed a “dark chapter” in their history might feel relieved by Trudeau’s departure. However, Poilievre questioned the impact of this resignation, stating, “But what has really changed? Every Liberal MP in power today and every potential Liberal leadership contender fighting for the top job helped Justin Trudeau break the country over the last nine years.”
Mark Carney, the former head of the Bank of Canada and further the Bank of England, is another individual viewed as a prospective candidate for leadership within the Liberal Party following Trudeau’s resignation. Carney has been contemplating a political career, and he previously garnered attention when Trudeau attempted to recruit him to his government. Following the resignation announcement, Carney conveyed his appreciation for Trudeau’s service and offered well-wishes for his future endeavors.
In his resignation remarks, Trudeau emphasized the need for a Parliament that operates effectively. He noted the current situation, where he believes Parliament has become “entirely seized” by obstruction and ineffectiveness, leading to the longest-serving minority government in Canada’s history.
He also shared his views on Poilievre, suggesting that the opposition leader has a narrow vision for Canada, which he criticized for neglecting vital issues such as climate change, diversity, and media integrity.
