Justin Trudeau Resigns as Canadian PM Amid Party Turmoil and Failing Support
Justin Trudeau Resigns as Canadian PM Amid Party Turmoil and Failing Support
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation after nearly a decade in power, citing internal party battles and declining public support. Trudeau’s decision, revealed on Monday, comes after weeks of mounting pressure for him to step down and a series of troubling polls predicting a landslide loss for his Liberal Party.
“I am a fighter, and I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this,” Trudeau said during a news conference outside his home in Ottawa.
“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.
“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,” he added.
Read also: NDLEA Nabs Alaja Ajoke with truck load of imported cannabis in Lagos
Trudeau, 53, plans to remain in office until the Liberal Party selects a new leader. The resignation follows polls showing his party trailing far behind the opposition Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, ahead of the next federal election, which is due by late October.
In light of the leadership transition, Canada’s Parliament will remain suspended until March 24, giving the Liberal Party time to conduct a competitive, nationwide leadership race. Trudeau emphasized the need for a fresh start, saying, “It’s time for the temperature to come down, for the people to have a fresh start in Parliament, to be able to navigate through these complex times.”
Trudeau’s tenure has faced growing criticism over rising inflation, housing costs, and government spending. His leadership was further shaken when former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned last month after opposing his fiscal policies, accusing him of “political gimmicks.”
Internationally, Trudeau has dealt with increased tensions with the U.S., as former President Donald Trump has threatened steep tariffs on Canadian goods unless border issues are addressed.
Read also: Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President, Dies at 100
Trudeau’s departure marks the end of an era for the Liberal Party. As the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, he brought the party back to power in 2015 with promises of progressive reforms and “sunny ways.” He won re-election twice, becoming one of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers.
Despite stepping down, Trudeau took aim at his rival, Pierre Poilievre, warning, “We need an ambitious, optimistic view of the future, and Pierre Poilievre is not offering that.”
Poilievre, a staunch conservative, gained prominence in 2022 by supporting trucker protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, solidifying his position as a polarizing figure and Trudeau’s most formidable opponent.
