Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly preparing to step down as leader of the Liberal Party, potentially as early as Monday, according to a Fox News report. The speculation comes amid growing pressure within his party and declining public support.
The Mail and Globe, citing anonymous sources from Trudeau’s administration, claimed that the Prime Minister is likely to announce his resignation this week. The Liberal Party is set to convene a caucus meeting on Wednesday, where discussions around Trudeau’s leadership are expected to dominate.
While it remains unclear if Trudeau plans to resign as Canada’s Prime Minister, his departure as party leader would spark a leadership race, with the victor set to assume the role of Prime Minister.
Mounting Pressure and Declining Support
Trudeau has faced mounting challenges since the abrupt resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on December 16. Freeland’s resignation, accompanied by a scathing public letter criticizing Trudeau’s policies, intensified scrutiny of his leadership.
Following Freeland’s departure, Trudeau has largely stayed out of the public eye, spending much of the holiday season at a resort in western Canada. His silence has fueled speculation about his future as both party leader and Prime Minister.
Adding to his woes, a recent Nanos Research survey revealed plummeting support for the Liberals, with the opposition Conservative Party widening its lead ahead of the next federal election. Faced with stagnant economic growth and voter dissatisfaction, the Liberals risk losing many of their 153 seats in Parliament.
In an attempt to counter the Conservatives’ rising momentum, the Liberal Party has launched pre-election advertisements, warning that Conservative policies could jeopardize social security schemes.
A Leadership Transition on the Horizon?
As speculation swirls, the Liberal Party must prepare for a potential leadership transition during a critical election year. Trudeau’s resignation, if confirmed, would mark the end of an era for the three-term leader, who has served as Prime Minister since 2015.