Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resigned as the country’s ruling Liberal Party leader. A once-feted scion of Canadian politics, his exit comes amid intensified political headwinds after his finance minister and closest political ally abruptly quit last month.
Trudeau, who said he will remain as prime minister until a new party leader is chosen, has faced growing calls from within his party to step down; polls show the Liberals are set to lose this year’s election to the Conservative opposition.
“As you all know, I’m a fighter,” Trudeau said, but “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.”
His exit comes as Canada faces tariff threats from US President-elect Donald Trump. The Republican and his allies have repeatedly taunted Trudeau in recent weeks, with Trump mocking Canada as the “51st state.”
From ‘sunny ways’ to gloomy skies
The son of a former premier, Justin Trudeau ascended to head the Liberal Party in 2013, leading them to power in 2015 by promising “sunny ways” ahead. The young, fresh face of leftist Canadian politics, Trudeau became a “poster-boy” for liberal causes and progressive issues, The Independent wrote. He legalized recreational cannabis and addressed historic abuses against Indigenous populations.
But — like so many world governments — Canada’s post-COVID years have been marked by growing economic discontent, CNN noted, and the opposition Conservatives have risen in the polls. A viral encounter last year between Trudeau and a steel worker encapsulated Canadians’ frustrations: “You’re not really doing anything for us, Justin,” the man said.
Trudeau’s exit underscores uncertain times ahead
The Liberals — and Canada as a whole — are “staring at political oblivion,” Globe and Mail columnist Andrew Coyne wrote. As Trudeau’s fellow party members wrangle for power, the opposition Conservatives could put forward a motion of no confidence, and this year’s election may come early.
“The country is crying out for leadership,” Coyne wrote, adding that the turmoil raises larger concerns over Canada’s electoral system, which revolves around the cult of party leaders. The Liberals in particular, he wrote, must ask themselves: “How are we to rebuild from the ruins? Why did we allow a runaway leader to bring us to such a pass?… And: how do we make sure this never happens again?”
Source: SEMAFOR
