By Matina Stevis-Gridneff and Ian Austen
On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada declared his intention to resign as leader of the Liberal Party and as prime minister, a decision that will usher in a new leader once his party elects a successor through a nationwide election.
“Every fiber of my being has always urged me to fight because I have a profound love for Canadians,” Trudeau expressed while revealing his decision in Ottawa, Ontario, the nation’s capital. His resignation initiates a contest for succession after nearly ten years at the forefront of both the party and the government.
This turmoil occurs as the country faces challenges regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to implement significant tariffs on all Canadian imports from his first day in office. Canada and the U.S. are each other’s primary trading allies.
In late November, Trudeau met Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and his administration has been engaged in discussions to address the president-elect’s worries regarding border security, hopeful that he will rethink his tariff threat.
Trudeau has endured increasing pressure from within the ranks of his own party in recent weeks.
In December, Trudeau’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, unexpectedly resigned in a significant criticism of his management and governance. Her departure stirred a rising number of voices among Liberal parliamentarians urging him to yield leadership for the sake of the party, allowing someone else to lead against the Conservatives in upcoming general elections.
Here’s what else to consider:
— Election timeline: Experts suggest elections are likely to be held in the spring. General elections must occur by October, according to Canada’s electoral guidelines.
— A bleak perspective: Trudeau criticized Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, suggesting he has a grim vision for Canada. He conveyed that the country requires an optimistic perspective and expressed belief that his party needs a new leader to face Poilievre in the forthcoming federal elections.
— Transitioning leadership: Trudeau has held power since 2015, revitalizing the Liberals, who had suffered a significant electoral decline prior to his rise in 2013. However, he has gained considerable unpopularity: A poll published last month by Ipsos indicated that 73% of Canadians—including 43% of Liberal voters—felt he should resign as party leader.
— Dwindling faith: Freeland, who had been Trudeau’s most loyal ally throughout various crises, including the pandemic and conflicts with the first Trump administration, stated she has lost confidence in his leadership.
