Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that he is stepping down as leader of the ruling Liberal Party, but will remain as head of government until the Liberals elect a new leader, Reuters reports, citing Trudeau’s speech.
“I intend to resign as party leader. And as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a rigorous, nationally competitive process,” he said on Monday.
His decision to resign was preceded by a drop in the party’s popularity and open conflicts with other leading Liberals. He said he would remain as prime minister until a new Liberal Party leader is elected.
Trudeau has been heading the government since 2015. However, his popularity has plummeted due to record inflation, rising food prices, and an acute housing crisis. Recent polls have shown that the ruling Liberal Party has an approval rating of 16%, the worst in more than 100 years. The opposition Conservatives, on the other hand, have come out on top in electoral preferences.
Earlier it became known that Trudeau would announce his intention to resign on Monday, January 6. This was reported by the Toronto Star newspaper, citing a high-ranking source. A month ago, US President-elect Donald Trump ridiculed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he called the “governor” of the non-existent state of Canada.
He wrote about this on his social network Truth Social.
Trump commented on the meeting with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, noting that he had the pleasure of having dinner with “Governor of the Great State of Canada, Justin Trudeau, the other day.”
“I look forward to meeting with the Governor again so we can continue our in-depth tariff and trade negotiations, the results of which will be truly spectacular for everyone!” Trump added.
