Justin Trudeau To Step Down As Party Leader And Prime Minister

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he will resign as party leader and prime minister following weeks of mounting pressure and criticism.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process,” he said at a news conference Monday in Ottawa.

Trudeau said he advised the president of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party to begin its selection process Sunday night. Parliament will be suspended until March 24 as a new leader is chosen.

“Canadians deserve a real choice in the next election, and it has become obvious to me, with the internal battles, that I cannot be the one to carry the Liberal standard into the next election,” he said.

Trudeau’s departure as prime minister and Liberal Party leader would follow him leading the party for nearly 11 years and serving as prime minister for nine.

Trudeau has faced low poll numbers and pushback, as well as requests not to seek a fourth term by those in his own party.

Issues weighing against him include the high cost of housing and food, and his party losing two seats that it had held for decades in special elections last year.

Then in December, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister abruptly resigned. In her resignation letter, Chrystia Freeland accused Trudeau of engaging in “costly political gimmicks” and not taking seriously the threat of a potential tariff war with the U.S.

Trudeau addressed some of this criticism on Monday and said that Parliament has “entirely been seized by obstruction and filibustering and a total lack of productivity over the past few months.” He expressed hope that his removal would bring fresh perspectives and lower the political temperature.

“It’s time for the temperature to come down, for the people to have a fresh start in Parliament to be able to navigate through these complex times domestically and internationally,” he said.

Reflecting on his own regrets, Trudeau said he wishes he had successfully reformed the country’s electoral system. He has long expressed support for a ranked ballot system in which voters select their second or third choices, which he said would prompt parties to broaden their outreach to voters.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.