At 53 years old, Trudeau stated that he would step down as leader of the Liberal Party, a position he has held since 2013. Additionally, he revealed that Canada’s parliament will be suspended until March 24, by which time a new leader will be selected.
“I intend to resign as party leader and as prime minister,” Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa after a prolonged political crisis, during which senior Liberal allies urged him to step down.
“Parliament has been at a standstill for months after the longest session of a minority parliament in Canadian history,” he explained. “This morning, I informed the Governor General that a new session of parliament is needed, and she has agreed to prorogue it until March 24.”
Trudeau will remain in office as a caretaker prime minister until a new leader is chosen.
His decision to resign followed mounting pressure, particularly after his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, who also served as deputy prime minister, resigned in December due to policy disagreements, including concerns over “costly political gimmicks.”
The rift included disagreements on handling potential US tariffs under Donald Trump’s incoming administration.
Trudeau’s resignation comes amid polls suggesting that his party could face a significant defeat to the official opposition Conservatives in an election, which must occur by late October.
The Liberals are now tasked with appointing an interim leader to take over as prime minister until a special leadership convention is held.
