Trudeau likely resigns as Canada's prime minister and party leader - Reuters
Justin Trudeau (photo: Getty Images)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is likely to announce his intention to step down. The probability of this happening is increasing, although he has not yet made a final decision, according to Reuters and Glode and Mail.
Initially, the Globe and Mail reported that Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation as leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party today after nine years in power. Sources said they were unsure whether the announcement would happen on Monday, but they anticipate it will occur before the special session of Liberal lawmakers on Wednesday.
Trudeau’s departure would leave the party without a permanent leader at a time when, according to polls, the Liberals are suffering a crushing defeat to the opposition (the Conservatives) in elections that are set to take place by the end of October. The media reports that, due to these bleak forecasts, an increasing number of Liberal lawmakers are publicly urging Justin Trudeau to step down.
The discussion is not only about party leadership but also the position of the prime minister. According to the Globe and Mail, it is still unclear whether Trudeau will leave immediately or remain in office until a new Liberal leader is elected.
Reuters notes that the resignation is not only about stepping down as the leader of the ruling party but also as prime minister.
Following the published article, Reuters also released a report citing its source, which confirmed the same details.
The agency writes that Trudeau assumed the leadership of the Liberals in 2013 when the party was facing significant difficulties and had dropped to third place in the House of Commons for the first time.
If the prime minister does indeed resign, it is likely to trigger the holding of swift elections to form a stable government capable of engaging with the administration of newly elected US President Donald Trump over the next four years.
Reuters, citing Globe and Mail, reports that Trudeau discussed with Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc the question of whether he would be willing to assume the role of interim party leader and prime minister. However, it was added that this would not be possible if LeBlanc intended to run for party leadership.
In late December, Reuters also reported that Trudeau might lose his position in January, but through a different route - he was threatened with a vote of no confidence after the House of Commons returned from its winter break on the 27th.
"No matter who is leading the Liberal Party, this government's time is up. We will put forward a clear motion of non-confidence in the next sitting of the House of Commons," said Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party.
