- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister.
- Trudeau will remain in office until the Liberal Party chooses a new leader.
- The resignation comes amid slumping polls and internal division within the Liberal Party.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister on Monday, January 6, 2025. Trudeau stated that he intends to resign once the Liberal Party selects its next leader.
This decision follows months of declining popularity and internal conflicts within the Liberal Party. Trudeau’s support began to dwindle last year, and the situation worsened after the surprise resignation of his former finance minister and deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, in December.
Trudeau acknowledged that he is not the best candidate to lead the Liberals into the upcoming election, citing internal battles and the need for a robust leadership race. The Liberal leadership race is expected to be a nationwide competitive process, although the exact timeline is uncertain.
As Trudeau remains in office as a caretaker prime minister, he will lead Canada’s initial response to the new US administration under President-elect Donald Trump. This includes addressing potential trade tensions, as Trump has vowed to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian imports.
The Liberal Party is expected to choose a new leader, with potential contenders including Chrystia Freeland and former Bank of England governor Mark Carney. The Conservative party leader, Pierre Poilievre, has already expressed his readiness to take on the new Liberal leader.
