Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Declares His Decision to Step Down

In a significant political shift, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has declared his intention to step away from leadership of the governing Liberal Party after nearly a decade in power. However, he plans to remain in his role until the party selects a successor.

Facing intense pressure from members of the Liberal Party, who are alarmed by current polling forecasts indicating a dismal performance in the next general election, Trudeau addressed the media, confirming that parliamentary sessions would be on hold until March.

This means Trudeau will retain his position on January 20, when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump begins his term. Trump’s administration has hinted at imposing tariffs that could severely impact the Canadian economy.

Irish Tánaiste Micheál Martin paid homage to Trudeau, noting his “remarkable contribution on the global stage.” He added, “Under his guidance, the bond between Ireland and Canada has grown significantly.” Martin emphasized that Trudeau’s commitment to the Irish-Canadian community, founded on shared values and deeper cultural ties, has fortified the friendship shared by both nations.

Justin Trudeau, now 53, ascended to the prime ministership in November 2015 and secured reelection on two occasions, marking him as one of the longest-serving leaders in Canada’s political landscape. Yet, his popularity has waned over the past two years, fueled by public frustration over rising costs and a daunting housing crisis—a situation from which he couldn’t bounce back.

With polls projecting an overwhelming defeat for the Liberals against the official opposition Conservatives in an upcoming election due by late October, the stakes are high, regardless of who takes the helm.

The trajectory of Trudeau’s political journey reveals crucial milestones along the way.

Parliament is expected to reconvene on January 27, with opposition parties eager to topple the government at the first opportunity, likely by the end of March. If parliament does not reconvene until March 24, any non-confidence motion could potentially be delayed until May.

A source indicated that Trudeau has had conversations with Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc concerning the prospect of him stepping in as interim leader; however, this plan could face complications if LeBlanc aims to contend for leadership himself.

Calls for Trudeau’s resignation have intensified since December when tensions rose after he attempted to sideline Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Finance Minister and a long-time ally, following her opposition to his spending proposals. Freeland chose to resign, publicly slamming Trudeau for engaging in “political gimmicks” instead of focusing on the nation’s pressing needs.

Back in 2015, Trudeau fueled the Liberals’ ascension with his optimistic slogan “sunny ways” along with a progressive agenda that promised to champion women’s rights and vigorously combat climate change. However, the mundane reality of governance gradually took its toll on him, compounded by the ongoing challenges introduced by the pandemic, which consumed a significant portion of his administration’s attention.

Despite the government’s substantial financial efforts to safeguard consumers and businesses, leading to unprecedented budget deficits, public dissatisfaction remained high amid soaring prices. Furthermore, a mismanaged immigration policy resulted in an influx of new arrivals, exacerbating an already strained housing market.

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar praised Trudeau, describing him as a prime minister who accomplished much for Canada. Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, Varadkar noted that Trudeau’s interactions with Trump and initiatives in climate action were noteworthy. “He will likely be regarded as one of the great prime ministers in Canadian history,” he stated. Varadkar also characterized Trudeau as “a genuinely decent and personable individual.” He recalled how Trudeau reached out to congratulate Ireland for besting Canada for a spot on the UN Security Council.

Reflecting on their relationship, Varadkar shared, “I have gotten to know him quite well. My first official trip abroad was to Canada, and he was among the first foreign leaders to visit Ireland.” He fondly mentioned the numerous occasions they had met throughout the years, underscoring the camaraderie that existed between the two leaders.

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring

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