Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as leader of the ruling Liberal Party, stating that he will continue to serve as Prime Minister until the party selects his replacement.
According to Reuters, Trudeau faced mounting pressure from Liberal lawmakers to step down. During a press conference, he revealed his decision and announced that Parliament would be suspended until March 24.
This means Trudeau will remain Prime Minister until January 20, coinciding with the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
It is worth noting that Trump has threatened to impose heavy tariffs on Canada, which could severely impact its economy.
Trudeau stated, “This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it’s clear that if I continue fighting internal battles, I won’t be the best option for Canadians.”
The 53-year-old Trudeau assumed office in November 2015 and won two consecutive elections. However, his popularity has waned over the past two years due to inflation and a housing shortage, leading to public discontent.
Surveys indicate that the Liberal Party is likely to face a significant defeat against the opposition Conservative Party in the October elections, regardless of who leads the ruling party.
Parliament was originally set to reconvene on January 27, but opposition parties had vowed to bring down the government as soon as possible. If Parliament does not resume by March 24, the opposition may move a no-confidence motion in May.
