Justin Trudeau resigns as Liberal Party leader, set to step down as Canada's Prime Minister

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday amid rising discontent over his leadership and following the sudden departure of his finance minister, which signalled growing turmoil within his government.

Trudeau stated that it had become clear to him that he could not "be the leader during the next elections due to internal battles." He confirmed that he would remain in office as prime minister until a new leader of the Liberal Party is selected.

"I don't easily back down faced with a fight, especially a very important one for our party and the country. But I do this job because the interests of Canadians and the well-being of democracy is something that I hold dear," Trudeau said.

He also announced that the Parliament, which was scheduled to resume on January 27, would now be suspended until March 24 to allow time for the Liberal Party leadership race to unfold, news agency AP reported.

All the three main opposition parties have indicated plans to topple the Liberal Party in a no-confidence vote when Parliament resumes, AP reported.

"The Liberal Party of Canada is an important institution in the history of our great country and democracy. A new prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party will carry its values and ideals into that next election," Trudeau said. "I am excited to see that process unfold in the months ahead."

Justin Trudeau had become PM in 2015

Trudeau, 53, became prime minister in 2015 after a decade of Conservative Party rule. Initially hailed for returning Canada to its liberal roots, his popularity has since plummeted due to several issues, including soaring costs for food and housing and increasing immigration.

The timing of the resignation is particularly critical for Canada on the international stage, as US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods unless Ottawa addresses what he describes as a flow of migrants and drugs into the US.

Despite increasing pressure for him to step down, Trudeau had remained publicly silent in recent weeks.

The resignation of Canada's former finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, on December 16, added to the turmoil. Freeland criticised some of Trudeau's economic policies, especially in light of Trump's threats. Her resignation, which followed that of the housing minister, raised questions about how long Trudeau could maintain his position.

Freeland and Trudeau had disagreed over two policies: a temporary sales tax holiday on items such as children's clothes and beer, and plans to send every citizen a check for 250 Canadian dollars. Freeland, who was also deputy prime minister, said Canada could not afford "costly political gimmicks" with the looming tariff threat.

"Our country is facing a grave challenge," Freeland wrote in her resignation letter. "That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war."

Father Pierre Trudeau had led Canada for around 16 years, from 1968

Despite the rising discontent within the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau had planned to run for a fourth term in the upcoming election. However, recent defeats in special elections in Toronto and Montreal raised doubts over his chances. No Canadian prime minister has won four consecutive terms in over a century.

Recent polling suggests Trudeau's chances are slim, with the Liberals trailing the Conservatives 47 per cent to 21 per cent in a latest survey.

Over the course of his tenure, Justin Trudeau embraced policies favoured by his liberal base, including advocating for immigration, championing diversity and gender equality, and legalising cannabis. However, his efforts to balance economic growth with environmental protection, such as levying a carbon emissions tax and advancing a controversial pipeline expansion project, were criticised from both the left and the right.

While Canada fared relatively well during the COVID-19 pandemic, with fewer deaths than in many other countries, Trudeau's government's handling of vaccine mandates sparked significant opposition. The combination of scandals and unpopular policies has eroded his support over time, with his political legacy now overshadowed by a turbulent period in Canadian politics.

Trudeau's father, Pierre, led Canada for almost 16 years after sweeping to power in 1968. His legacy remains central to the country's history, as Pierre is recognised in the US for his progressive stance on immigration.

Justin Trudeau, the second-youngest prime minister in Canadian history, came to office in a sweeping victory in 2015, despite initial doubts about his youth and experience. He has three children with his estranged wife, a former model and TV host.

(With AP inputs)