Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, stating he will leave office once the ruling Liberal Party selects a new leader.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process,” Trudeau said during a press conference in Ottawa.
He confirmed asking the Liberal Party president to initiate the leadership race, which experts predict may take four to six months, although the timeline could be expedited given the urgency.
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Trudeau, who has led Canada since 2015, has faced mounting pressure following a tumultuous political year.
His challenges intensified in December after the unexpected resignation of Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who accused him of prioritizing political optics over economic stability.
Freeland’s resignation letter sparked widespread criticism, adding to the Liberals’ struggles in parliament and their waning popularity.
Possible successors include Freeland herself and former Bank of England governor Mark Carney, a respected economist with Canadian roots.
Lori Turnbull, a political science professor, emphasized the need for a swift leadership transition to prepare for upcoming elections.
Trudeau’s departure comes at a critical moment, as Canada braces for potential economic fallout from the trade policies of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump has threatened tariffs on Canadian imports, a move Trudeau vowed to counter.
Trudeau has obtained approval from the governor general to suspend parliamentary sessions until March 24.
Edited by: Anthonia Umoh.
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