06 January 2025 , 18:47
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Justin Trudeau announced he is resigning as Prime Minister of Canada ahead of elections this year after his top minister abruptly quit and criticised his handling of the budget.
Justin Trudeau has resigned as Prime Minister of Canada after nearly a decade in power.
The 53-year-old had faced growing calls to step down from within his own party after his top minister abruptly quit and criticised his handling of the budget. Trudeau announced his resignation this afternoon from outside his home at Rideau Cottage, near the Canadian capital Ottawa.
He told reporters he had taken the "difficult" decision to quit as leader of the Liberal Party after conversations with his family. Trudeau said "internal battles" meant he "cannot be the best option" for his party in the country’s next election.
His party will now need to choose an interim prime minister to lead the country at least until elections are held. The next federal election in Canada to elect MPs to the House of Commons must be held before October 30 this year, but could be called sooner by the next prime minister. Trudeau will stay on as prime minister until a new leader of the Liberal Party is chosen.
Last month, Trudeau’s future as Canadian Prime Minister was thrown into doubt after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who had been one of his most powerful and loyal ministers, resigned from the Cabinet. Freeland and Trudeau had disagreed about a two-month sales tax holiday and 250 Canadian dollar (£140) handout announced for the 2025 budget. Her resignation sparked a new round of rebellions after 12 months of speculation over Trudeau’s leadership, and around two dozen MPs and multiple regional party caucuses called for him to go over the festive period.
The finance minister’s decision to quit the cabinet was welcomed by US president-elect Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on trade with Canada when he returns to the White House later this month. He wrote on his Truth Social website: “The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau. Her behaviour was totally toxic, and not at all conducive to making deals which are good for the very unhappy citizens of Canada. She will not be missed!!!”
Trudeau - who is the son of former premier Pierre Trudeau - enjoyed high approval ratings after his Liberal Party swept to power in November 2015, and went on to win re-election twice in 2019 and 2021. But he has become widely unpopular in recent years over a wide range of issues, including the high cost of living and rising inflation. As Prime Minister, he legalised cannabis and brought in a carbon tax intended to fight climate change. He also oversaw a large increase in migration following the country’s emergence from the Covid pandemic, intended to fill gaps in the labour market.
One widely touted successor to Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader is former Bank of England governor Mark Carney, who is currently serving as a special advisor to the party. Chrystia Freeland, who resignation triggered the downfall of Trudeau’s government, is also among the favourites.