Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau resigns. He said he intends to remain in his role until his successor is chosen, urging Canadians to unite behind the new leader.
Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister for nearly a decade, announced on Monday that he will step down as leader of the Liberal Party and prime minister.
According to the New York Times, Mr Trudeau, who has recently faced mounting pressure within his party, said his decision came after much reflection over the holiday season.
“Friends, as you all know, I’m a fighter,” he said during his announcement. “Every bone in my body has always told me to fight because I care deeply about Canadians.”
His resignation comes after Chrystia Freeland, his former deputy prime minister and finance minister, abruptly resigned in December, citing dissatisfaction with his leadership.
Ms Freeland’s departure amplified calls from Liberal parliamentarians for Mr Trudeau to step aside, with many suggesting a change was necessary to reinvigorate the party ahead of elections against Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.
Mr Trudeau expressed regret over his failure to fulfil a key campaign promise to reform Canada’s electoral system, which would have introduced ranked-choice voting.
The Liberal Party will now embark on a grassroots process to select a new leader, a process that is expected to take several weeks.
Mr Trudeau said he intends to remain in his role until his successor is chosen, urging Canadians to unite behind the new leader.
He described the upcoming federal elections as critical for the country’s future, warning against the “dark vision” of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
“There’s a better leader than myself to confront Poilievre,” he said, underscoring his confidence in the Liberal Party’s ability to chart a progressive path forward.
The New York Times reports that though Mr Trudeau declined to elaborate on the events leading to Ms Freeland’s resignation, he spoke warmly of his former deputy, thanking her for her contributions during his tenure.
Mr Trudeau’s departure marks the end of an era for Canadian politics.
From his rise to prominence following a high-profile charity boxing match in 2012 to his decade-long leadership of the country, he has been a defining figure in Canada’s political landscape.
