Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister, announces his resignation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation, telling the nation that “internal battles” mean he “cannot be the best option” in the upcoming election.

Trudeau said Monday he had asked the president of his Liberal Party to begin the process of selecting a new leader. He faces growing dissatisfaction with his leadership, and the abrupt departure of his finance minister late last year signaled growing unrest within his government.

Parliament will be suspended until March 24. It was due to resume on January 27. This calendar will allow for a race for the leadership of the Liberal Party.

Trudeau was the second-youngest prime minister in Canadian history when he was elected in 2015, and he planned to seek a fourth term in next year’s election, even as discontent grew within his party . He said, “I have always been motivated by my love for Canada” and repeatedly described himself as a fighter.

One person likely to seek power within the Liberal Party following the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is Mark Carney, the former head of the Bank of Canada and later the Bank of England.

Carney has long wanted to enter politics and become prime minister, and Trudeau tried to recruit him to join his government.

Carney in an article on X thanked Trudeau for his contributions and sacrifices. He adds: “I wish you the best for your next chapters. »

Trudeau answered questions after announcing his resignation.

Trudeau said Parliament was “entirely gripped” by what he called obstruction and a complete lack of productivity. He said it was the longest-serving minority government in Canadian history.

And in some of his latest comments to the media, Trudeau shared his thoughts on Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre. He said Poilievre had a “very small vision” for Canada, describing it as “a halt to the fight against climate change,” a pushback on “the strength of diversity” and an “attack on journalists.”

Trudeau came to power in 2015 after 10 years of Conservative Party rule and was initially praised for returning the country to its liberal past. But the 53-year-old leader, son of Pierre Trudeau, one of Canada’s most famous prime ministers, has become deeply unpopular with voters in recent years over a range of issues, including soaring food prices. food and housing and high immigration.

This political upheaval comes at a difficult time for Canada on the international stage. United States President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods if the government does not stem what Trump calls a flow of migrants and drugs into the United States .

This is despite far fewer migrants entering the United States from Canada than from Mexico, something Trump has also threatened.