Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday he will step down as the country’s leader, marking the end of a nearly decade-long tenure that saw Canada through the COVID-19 pandemic and positioned the nation as a staunch ally of Ukraine.
The decision came during an emotional press conference Monday where Trudeau reflected on his time leading one of the world’s most influential democracies.
“Every morning I’ve woken up as prime minister, I have been inspired by the resilience, generosity, and determination of Canadians,” Trudeau told journalists during an emotional press conference. “I have fought for this country, for you.”
The 52-year-old leader, who followed in his father Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s political footsteps, said he will remain in office until the Liberal Party selects a new leader. Parliament will be suspended until March 24 during the leadership transition.
Trudeau’s departure comes amid mounting political challenges and plummeting poll numbers, with his Liberal Party trailing the opposition Conservatives by more than 20 percentage points. The announcement arrives ahead of a general election that must be held by October 20.
During his address, Trudeau highlighted his administration’s key achievements, including Canada’s response to the pandemic and support for Ukraine. However, he expressed regret about being unable to reform the country’s electoral system to allow voters to indicate second and third choices on ballots.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its new leader. As you all know, I am a fighter, and I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this one is,” he stated.
“But I have always been driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians, and by what is in the best interests of Canadians, and Canadians deserve a real choice in the next election. And it has become obvious to me — with the internal battles — that I cannot be the one to carry the Liberal standard into the next election,” Trudeau later added.
One of the country’s youngest-ever leaders, Trudeau was first elected in 2015 and ascended to popularity by pushing progressive values on the global stage, branding himself as an antidote to former President Donald Trump. He won successive elections in 2019 and 2021.
However, his popularity has declined following several controversies, including the emergence of old photographs showing him in blackface and public pushback against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
The Liberal Party’s national executive is expected to meet this week to begin the process of selecting a new leader, who will face Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre in the upcoming election.
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