Justin Trudeau says he is resigning as Canada Prime Minister amid political turmoil

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday announced his decision to resign following growing dissent within his Liberal Party, leaving the party without a leader just months before legislative elections scheduled for October.

The 53-year-old said that he will serve as interim leader until the party chooses next representative.

Trudeau's resignation follows a period of dwindling popularity, with his government barely surviving several no-confidence votes.


"I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister after the party selects its next leader. Last night I asked the president of the Liberal Party to start that process," said Trudeau in a press conference.

Critics had called for his exit, pointing to his handling of domestic and international issues, including strained relations with the incoming US administration.

Political pressures
Trudeau had vowed to lead the Liberals into the upcoming elections. However, he faced mounting pressure, particularly after the US President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods.

Adding to his challenges, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned in December over differences with Trudeau on responding to Trump's policies.

This marked the first open dissent within his cabinet. Following Freeland's departure, Trudeau reshuffled his cabinet, replacing a third of his ministers in a bid to stabilise his government.

In November, Trudeau visited Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in an effort to avert a trade war. However, Trump continued to publicly criticise Trudeau, referring to him as the "governor" of Canada and suggesting on social media that Canada becoming the 51st US state was "a great idea," as per a Reuters report.

Trudeau's political journey
Justin Trudeau, the eldest son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, rose to power in 2015, leading the Liberals to two more electoral victories in 2019 and 2021. However, recent polls showed him trailing his main rival, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, by 20 points.

Before entering politics, Trudeau worked as a snowboard instructor, bartender, and teacher. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008, representing a working-class Montreal neighborhood.

During his tenure as prime minister, Trudeau introduced Senate reforms, negotiated a new trade deal with the US, and implemented a carbon tax to curb greenhouse gas emissions. He also legalised cannabis, conducted a public inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women, and passed legislation permitting medically assisted suicide.

Despite his accomplishments, Trudeau's leadership in recent years has faced criticism, culminating in his decision to step down.

The Liberal Party now faces the challenge of selecting a new leader to guide them through the upcoming elections.