Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation after nearly a decade in office, claiming that he “cannot be the best option”.
Mr Trudeau said that he would remain in his position until a new leader is chosen by the party.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process,” he said.
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His decision came after a series of poor polling results and declining public support.
Parliament, originally scheduled to resume on 27 January, will now be suspended until 24 March to facilitate the leadership transition.
Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre criticised the move, stating that Liberal MPs are attempting to “sweep their hated leader under the rug months before an election to trick you, and then do it all over again.”
Poilievre said there would be “nothing changed” over Trudeau’s resignation.
“Every Liberal MP and leadership contender supported EVERYTHING Trudeau did for 9 years, and now they want to trick voters by swapping in another Liberal face to keep ripping off Canadians for another 4 years, just like Justin,” he posted on X.
Trudeau was first elected in 2008 to the House of Commons and took over as the Liberal Party leader in 2013. However, he faced growing calls to quit from inside his Liberal Party in recent years.
Polls showed that voters are dissatisfied with Trudeau’s solutions for housing affordability, inflation, public debt and healthcare.
The 53-year-old stated on Monday that he had hoped Chrystia Freeland would remain as deputy prime minister, but she made a different choice.
“I thank Justin Trudeau for his years of service to Canada and Canadians. I wish him and his family the very best,” Freeland posted on X.
The Liberal Party is expected to hold a leadership race to select Trudeau’s successor, with a new leader anticipated to be in place by 24 March.
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