Head of government since 2015: Resignation of “Canada’s Kennedy”: Trudeau announces resignation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, once celebrated as a beacon of political hope, has announced his resignation after more than nine years as head of government. The 53-year-old said at a short-term press conference in the capital Ottawa that he only wanted to remain in office as Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister until the successor was clarified.

“This country deserves a real choice in the next election and I have realized that I cannot be the best alternative in this election if I have to fight internal battles,” Trudeau said. “It’s time for a realignment. It’s time for the temperatures to come down again, for a fresh start for the people in Parliament.”

Parliament should recess until the end of March, Trudeau said. Trudeau announced that the process of finding a successor should be “robust” and “nationwide”.

How and when exactly his party will determine a successor internally and when a new election could take place initially remained unclear. The next regular parliamentary election would be in the fall. However, a vote of no confidence could also force an early election.

Trump threatens Canada with punitive tariffs

While Canada’s leadership is likely to be reorganized in the coming months, trouble could threaten from its southern neighbor: US President-elect Donald Trump has already threatened Canada with punitive tariffs of 25 percent. He justified this with immigrants who allegedly bring crime and drugs across the border into the USA.

Trudeau once promised “positive politics” and “sunny paths”

Trudeau has been head of the Liberal Party for around eleven years and has been Prime Minister since the end of 2015. Initially he had promised “positive politics” and “sunny paths” and was celebrated by many as a beacon of hope.

With his wife Sophie Grégoire – from whom Trudeau is now separated – and their three children, the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (1919-2000) formed a “First Family” with a young and dynamic image – similar to US President John F. Kennedy taking office in 1961.

Recently, however, criticism of Trudeau had increased significantly. Among other things, many people accuse him of not fulfilling his many promises, that prices have risen too much and that there is too little housing in the country.

The pressure on the prime minister has recently become increasingly intense: his poll numbers have plummeted and calls for his resignation have become louder – even from within his own ranks.

Vice Freeland with a loud finish

The New Democratic Party, with which the Liberals had previously worked, had already withdrawn its confidence and threatened a vote of no confidence. Most recently, Trudeau’s deputy and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland also resigned.

Freeland, who is said to have claims to lead the Liberals, left the government after criticizing Trudeau. “Over the past few weeks, we have disagreed about Canada’s best path forward,” she said in her resignation letter. Trudeau then announces a cabinet reshuffle. “I would like to thank Justin Trudeau for his years of service to Canada and Canadians,” Freeland wrote to X after the Prime Minister’s resignation announcement. “I wish him and his family the very best.”

The Conservative Party is well ahead in the polls

In polls, things are currently looking good for the Conservative Party led by Pierre Poilievre. As things currently stand, she could secure around 40 percent of the vote, while Trudeau’s Liberals would only get around 20 percent.

Poilievre, who often acts in a populist manner, has announced, among other things, that he wants to have more houses built if he wins the election. However, Canadian support for Ukraine is unlikely to change much, even under a conservative government.

Historically, the Liberals, who range between center and center-left, have dominated politics in Canada since the 20th century. They provided most of the prime ministers and had a significant influence on the comparatively progressive politics of the North American country.

Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of area, has around 40 million inhabitants and is a member of NATO and the G7.