Justin Trudeau announces plan to quit as Canada’s PM
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Trudeau says he will bring end to his nearly 10-year spell in power once his Liberal party has found a new leader. Justin Trudeau has said he will step down as Canada’s prime minister after his party has finds a new leader, a decision that in effect brings an end to nearly a decade in power.
“Canadians deserve a clear choice in the next election,” Trudeau said, adding party infighting had made it impossible for him to face off against his political rivals. Trudeau said would stay on as prime minister until a new leader of the ruling Liberal party was chosen through a “robust, nationwide” process.
His resignation throws open the doors to a fierce political battle to be the country’s next leader, with polls showing the Liberals losing badly to the official opposition Conservatives in an election that must be held by late October, regardless of who the leader is.
Trudeau used his address to recount his government’s accomplishments over three terms. Earlier in the day, he met the governor general, Mary Simon, and requested the prorogation of parliament until 24 March in order to give the party sufficient time to find a new leader. Lawmakers were due to return in late January and the opposition Conservatives had pledged to bring down the government with a vote of non-confidence, which could have forced an election.
A meeting of the national caucus is expected to take place later in the day in order to plan for the transition to a new leader. The 53-year-old Trudeau has led the ruling Liberal party since 2013 and became prime minister in November 2015. Until recently, he had told reporters on numerous occasions he expected to lead the Liberals into the next election.
