UPDATE: On Monday, January 6th Justin Trudeau announced he would be resigning as prime minister and the leader of the Liberal party following a leadership contest.
He also announced that Gov. Gen. Mary Simon has agreed to his request to prorogue Parliament until March 24th.
This decision to prorogue Parliament prevents opposition parties from triggering an election through a non-confidence motion until the Liberals elect a new leader, effectively halting all parliamentary business in the meantime.
Trudeau stated that he has asked Liberal Party President Sachit Mehra to immediately initiate a leadership race, emphasizing that Canadians deserve a meaningful choice in the next election.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation within days, potentially as early as Monday, January 6th, according to several reports.
The anticipated announcement comes amid increasing public discontent over his liberal policies and internal pressures within the Liberal Party.
Reports suggest that Trudeau aims to make the announcement ahead of a pivotal national caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
One source, according to the Globe and Mail emphasized that Trudeau is keen to avoid the perception of being forced out by the party and wants to present the decision as his own.
While the exact timing of the resignation remains uncertain, the move would mark a significant turning point for the Liberal Party, which has been led by Trudeau since 2013.
His tenure as prime minister began in 2015, characterized by progressive policies on climate change, social justice, and international relations. However, his leadership has also faced criticism over issues such as government spending, ethics scandals, and the handling of Indigenous reconciliation.
The Liberal Party’s national executive, responsible for decisions on leadership transitions, is expected to convene later this week. Questions remain about how the party will manage the leadership transition and whether Trudeau will stay on as prime minister until a successor is chosen.
Trudeau’s departure would be pivotal for the Liberal Party, potentially sparking a leadership race as contenders address the party’s direction and growing voter discontent.
As Canadians await official confirmation, speculation about Trudeau’s political future continues to dominate national discourse.
