Under pressure for weeks, Justin Trudeau throws in the towel. The Canadian Prime Minister announced this Monday, January 6, that he had decided to leave his position as party leader, and therefore cede his position at the head of government. “I intend to resign as party leader and prime minister once the party has chosen its next leader,” he told reporters in the capital Ottawa.
The 53-year-old leader, who announced at the same time that Parliament was suspended until March 24, will leave the head of the liberal party but remain Prime Minister to give his party time to find a replacement, who will automatically take over. his place as head of government.
“This country deserves a real choice in the next elections. It has become clear to me that if I have to fight internal battles, I cannot be Prime Minister,” he declared, moved. Campaigns within the Liberal Party can last several months. And even if the process is accelerated, it is unlikely that Justin Trudeau will leave office in the coming days.
Minority in Parliament
The Prime Minister, who had announced his intention to run again, is more than 20 points behind his conservative rival, Pierre Poilievre, in the polls. A minority in Parliament, he is weakened by the withdrawal of his left-wing ally and the growing discontent within his own party.
Justin Trudeau’s popularity has waned in recent months and his government narrowly survived a series of no-confidence motions in Parliament. In addition, chaos has reigned in the capital Ottawa since the surprise resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who disagreed with Justin Trudeau on how to manage the looming economic war with the United States.
Donald Trump’s statements in recent weeks have aggravated the Canadian political crisis and caused a shock wave. The country is seeking a solution to the threats of the president-elect, who has promised to impose 25% customs duties on Canada and Mexico upon his return to power in January.