PM Trudeau Announces Resignation, Alludes To Party Internal Problems

JAKARTA - Justin Trudeau mentioned internal party problems several times when announcing his resignation from the post of Canadian Prime Minister on Monday.

The resignation will be inaugurated in the coming months. Trudeau himself has served for nine years.

It was inseparable from the pressure of lawmakers concerned about the performance of the Liberal Party in the pre-election poll.

Speaking at a news conference, Trudeau said he would remain as prime minister and Liberal leader until the party elects a new leader in a few months.

"This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it's clear to me that if I have to fight an internal dispute, I can't be the best choice in that election," Trudeau said.

I will always fight for this country, and do what I believe is in the best interest of Canadians. pic.twitter.com/AE2nSsx5Nu

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 7, 2025

I will always fight for this country, and do what I believe is in the best interest of Canadians. pic.twitter.com/AE2nSx5Nu

He also announced parliament would be postponed, or suspended, until March 24. That means elections are unlikely to occur as early as before May.

The next election must be held no later than October 20. Polls show polls that voters who are angry at high prices and lack of affordable housing will choose the Conservative party that is in position and give a crushing defeat to the Liberal party, no matter who leads the party.

In recent weeks, unhappy Liberal lawmakers have publicly asked Trudeau to step down, after the finance minister resigned and accused him of "political deception" of winning back voters.

"I'm not the one who will step down from the fight, especially when the fight is this important," Trudeau told reporters outside his residence as the temperature dropped to minus 15 degrees Celsius.

"But I have always been driven by my love for Canada and it became clear to me with an internal dispute that I cannot be the one who brings Liberal standards to the next election."

Trudeau, 53, took office in November 2015 with a message of hope and "a bright way" and won the re-election twice, becoming one of Canada's prime ministers who took office for the longest and received praise from progressive groups for his focus on gender equality policies.

However, his popularity began to decline two years ago, as food and housing prices rose in the post-COVID 19 period.

Trudeau said he had asked the Liberal Party to start a leadership contest, but did not say how long it would take. The new party leader will soon become prime minister, and lead the Liberal Party to the next election.