Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly leaning toward stepping down from his position as leader of the ruling Liberal Party, according to a source familiar with his thinking. While Trudeau has yet to make a final decision, the announcement could come as early as Monday, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.
The Globe and Mail first reported the potential resignation, citing growing pressure from within the Liberal Party amid dismal polling numbers. Trudeau’s leadership has come under scrutiny following a series of electoral setbacks and a loss of public support. The timing of his potential departure is critical, with an emergency meeting of Liberal legislators scheduled for Wednesday.
Trudeau’s resignation would leave the Liberals without a permanent leader at a time when the party is trailing significantly behind the opposition Conservatives in national polls. Political analysts suggest that the Liberals could face a decisive defeat in the next federal election, which must be held by October.
The Prime Minister’s Office has not commented on the reports, and Trudeau’s official schedule for Monday lists a virtual cabinet committee meeting on Canada-U.S. relations. The question remains whether Trudeau would step down immediately or continue to serve as prime minister until a new leader is chosen.
According to reports, Trudeau has discussed interim leadership options with Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc. However, there are concerns about LeBlanc’s potential candidacy for the party’s leadership, which could complicate his role as a temporary replacement.
Trudeau, who became Liberal leader in 2013, brought the party back from its lowest point to win a decisive victory in 2015. His platform of progressive policies and promises of reform resonated with voters at the time. However, his popularity has waned due to mounting political challenges, including the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic inflation, and a housing crisis driven by record immigration numbers.
Internal party tensions have intensified since December, when Trudeau attempted to demote then-Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, a key ally, after disagreements over spending policies. Freeland subsequently resigned, accusing Trudeau of prioritizing political tactics over effective governance.
Should Trudeau resign, it could trigger calls for a swift election to stabilize the government during a period of political uncertainty. Some within the party have suggested that the Liberals need fresh leadership to rebuild public trust and present a stronger challenge to the resurgent Conservatives.
The coming days are expected to be crucial in determining the future of the Liberal Party and Trudeau’s political legacy. If he steps down, it would mark the end of a decade-long leadership that began with high hopes but ultimately became overshadowed by economic and political challenges.
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