Justin Trudeau Resigns as Party Leader, Quits as Canada’s PM March 24
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, resigned as the leader of his Liberal Party, but will stay on as prime minister till a new party leader is determined.
Trudeau’s resignation came after nearly a decade in power. His surrendering leadership of the party was catalyzed by rising discontent over his leadership, coupled with the growing turmoil within his government signaled by the resignation of his finance minister.
Trudeau, 53, Trudeau, 53, began serving as the 23rd prime minister of Canada in 2015, but now, he joins the growing list of leaders across the world to be driven out by rising voter dissatisfaction.
The Prime Minister said it became clear to him that he cannot “be the leader during the next elections due to internal battles.” He planned to stay on as prime minister until a new leader of the Liberal Party is chosen.
Announcing his resignation outside his official residence, a teary-eyed Trudeau said: “I don’t easily back down faced with a fight, especially a very important one for our party and the country. But I do this job because the interests of Canadians and the well-being of democracy” are “something that I hold dear.”
He said Parliament, which had been due to resume January 27, would be suspended until March 24 to allow for a Liberal Party leadership race.
All three main opposition parties have said they plan to topple the Liberal Party in a no-confidence vote when Parliament resumes. Therefore, a spring election after the Liberals pick a new leader is almost assured.
