Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on January 7, 2025, that he will resign as leader of the Liberal Party after serving for nine years. He will remain in his position until the party selects a successor. Trudeau's decision comes amid mounting pressure from Liberal lawmakers and unfavorable poll results indicating a significant loss for the party in the upcoming election.
At a news conference, Trudeau stated that parliament would be suspended until March 24, meaning he will still hold office when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on January 20. Trump's administration has threatened to impose tariffs that could severely impact the Canadian economy.
"I intend to resign as party leader and prime minister after the party selects a new leader through a thorough, nationwide competitive process," Trudeau said. He emphasized the need for the country to have a clear choice in the next election, noting that internal disputes had hindered his ability to be the best candidate.
Trudeau, who took office in November 2015 and has been re-elected twice, is one of Canada's longest-serving prime ministers. However, his popularity has declined over the past two years, primarily due to public dissatisfaction with rising prices and a housing crisis.
Polls suggest that the Liberal Party is likely to lose to the official opposition, the Conservatives, in an election that must occur by late October. If parliament resumes on January 27, opposition parties plan to quickly introduce a non-confidence motion, potentially in May if the suspension lasts until March 24.
Trudeau faced increasing calls to resign after a failed attempt to demote Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, a close ally. Freeland ultimately resigned, accusing Trudeau of prioritizing "political gimmicks" over the nation's best interests.
The Conservative Party is currently led by Pierre Poilievre, who gained attention in early 2022 for supporting truck drivers during protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
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