CANADIAN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his plans to resign.
It comes after a rise of discontent over his leadership and growing turmoil within his government.
Trudeau (below) – who has been Canada’s PM since 2015 – told media outside his residence in Ottawa that “internal battles” mean he “cannot be the best option” in the country’s next election.
He is set to stay on as prime minister until a new leader of the Liberal Party is chosen.
The Canadian parliament, which had been due to resume on January 27, will be prorogued until March 24 to allow for a Liberal Party leadership race.
“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.”
Trudeau, 53, came to power nearly 10 years ago, and was initially hailed for returning the country to its “liberal past” following a decade of Conservative Party rule.
However, he has become deeply unpopular with voters in recent years over a range of issues, including the rising cost of food and housing in Canada, as well as surging immigration.
Trudeau’s announcement on Monday comes after the abrupt resignation of his finance minister on December 16, which further intensified calls for him to step down.
The political upheaval comes at a difficult moment for Canada internationally. US president-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods if the government does not stem what Trump calls “a flow of migrants and drugs” into the US – even though far fewer of each cross into the US from Canada than from Mexico, which Trump has also threatened.
Canada is a major exporter of oil and natural gas to the US, which also relies on its northern neighbour for steel, aluminium and autos.
