Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly preparing to step down as leader of the Liberal Party, a media report cites three anonymous sources. The Liberal caucus is to meet on Wednesday, with increasing demands from party lawmakers for Trudeau to resign as party leader.
Confidential Sources speaking to the Globe and Mail revealed that while the date of Trudeau's announcement remains unknown, they expect it will be before the caucus meeting decides his fate.
It is also not clear whether Trudeau will simultaneously resign as Prime Minister or remain in office until a new party leader is elected. His resignation as party leader would trigger a leadership contest, with the winner likely to become Prime Minister.
Challenges for him have mounted following the resignation, on December 16, by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, amidst public broadside against Prime Minister Trudeau.
A minority Liberal government led by the prime minister faces another major jolt in troubles after Jagmeet Singh's New Democratic Party decided to pull support in September of 2024.
Singh, in a video statement, accused the Liberals of failing Canadians and declared they no longer deserved the public's trust. This political setback has weakened Trudeau's administration ahead of the general elections slated for this year.
Economic challenges have further complicated the Liberals' plight, with recent polls showing a sharp decline in their popularity. Reports indicate that the Conservatives are likely to win the elections with a decisive majority. The office of Trudeau has not commented on the resignation rumors or provided a response outside regular business hours.
He became the leader of the Liberal Party in 2013, inheriting a party that was in a precarious position, having been relegated to third place in the House of Commons.
However, his potential resignation comes at a time when the party is again facing a leadership vacuum, raising concerns about its preparedness for the impending election.
The departure of Trudeau could trigger demands for an expedited general election to establish a government capable of solving the many tasks Canada faces today, as well as preparing for its future dealings with the United States, particularly under the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened the Canadian Prime Minister of levelling heavy tariffs on the country.
Other sources also reported that Trudeau has floated the possibility of Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc as interim leader and prime minister, but this may be not possible if LeBlanc intends to enter the leadership race.
Trudeau's exit will bring about a paradigm shift in Canadian politics as the Liberal Party will lose its permanent leader in a crucial stage.
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