Justin Trudeau to resign as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party

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Canada is about to get a new prime minister.

Following months of speculation about his political future, Justin Trudeau announced this morning (January 6) that he will be resigning as the leader of the Liberal party and as prime minister. 

In a press conference, Trudeau noted that he did plenty of reflecting about his decision over the holiday season, telling his children yesterday night that he would be stepping down. Over the past couple of years, the Prime Minister has seen his popularity—and that of the Liberal party—plummet among Canadians upset about everything from grocery prices to a lack of affordable housing. The past six months have seen many inside the party call for him to step down.

At the press conference, Trudeau said, “As you all know, I am a fighter, and I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this one is. But I have always been driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians, and by what is in the best interest of Canadians—and 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.”

The 53-year-old, who has spent nine years as prime minister, pledged to remain on until a new Liberal leader is chosen, at which point he’ll step aside.

Tied into his decision, parliament will be suspended until March 24 while a new leader is chosen.

The son of former Liberal leader and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeau helped revive the party at the beginning of last decade. When he rose to power, the Liberals were a distant third behind Conservatives and New Democratic Party in parliament. Young, energetic, and blessed with rock-star charisma and looks, Trudeau reshaped the Liberals in his own optimistic image, winning a majority in 2015, followed by two minority governments.

Major blows during the past few months have included the surprise resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in mid-December. One of Trudeau’s staunchest allies in the past, she accused him of resorting to “costly political gimmicks” rather than dealing with larger issues. 

As the new year kicks off, the Liberal party trails the Conservatives by more than 20 points—ahead of an election that must be held by October.