Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is likely to announce his intention to step down soon, although he has not made a final decision, according to a source familiar with his thoughts.
This information was shared with Reuters after the Globe and Mail reported that Trudeau might announce his resignation as early as Monday. He has served as the leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party for nine years.
The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
If Trudeau resigns, the party will be left without a permanent leader at a time when polls indicate that the Liberals are likely to lose significantly to the official opposition, the Conservatives, in an election that must occur by late October.
Sources informed the Globe and Mail that they were uncertain about the exact timing of Trudeau’s announcement. However, they expect it will happen before an emergency meeting of Liberal legislators scheduled for Wednesday.
A growing number of Liberal parliamentarians, concerned about disappointing poll results, have publicly urged Trudeau to resign.
The prime minister’s office did not respond immediately to requests for comments outside regular business hours. Trudeau’s schedule for Monday indicated he would participate virtually in a cabinet committee meeting focused on Canada-U.S. relations.
It remains unclear whether he will resign immediately or continue as prime minister until a new Liberal leader is chosen.
If Trudeau does step down, it could lead to renewed calls for a swift election to establish a stable government capable of managing relations with President-elect Donald Trump over the next four years.
GROWING DEMANDS FOR RESIGNATION
Trudeau has discussed with Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc the possibility of LeBlanc serving as interim leader and prime minister. However, this arrangement may not be feasible if LeBlanc intends to run for the leadership.
Trudeau, 53, managed to fend off concerns from Liberal legislators about poor polling and the potential loss of safe seats in two special elections.
However, calls for him to step down have intensified since December. This increase in pressure followed Trudeau’s attempt to demote Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, a close ally in his cabinet. Freeland resisted his proposals for increased spending, leading her to resign.
In her resignation letter, she accused Trudeau of resorting to “political gimmicks” instead of prioritizing the country’s needs.
Trudeau led the Liberals to victory in 2015 by promising “sunny ways” and a progressive agenda. His platform emphasized women’s rights and a commitment to combat climate change.
However, the challenges of governing took a toll on him over time. Like many Western leaders, he struggled with the aftermath of the pandemic, which consumed much of his attention.
Although Ottawa invested heavily to support consumers and businesses, resulting in record budget deficits, this did little to quell public frustration as prices continued to rise.
Additionally, a poorly managed immigration policy resulted in a surge of arrivals, further straining an already overheated housing market.
Click here for more World news.