Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly preparing to announce his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party, according to a Sunday report by The Globe and Mail, which cited three anonymous sources. While the exact timing of Trudeau’s announcement remains uncertain, sources speculate it will occur before a key national caucus meeting on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister’s Office has not responded to requests for comment made outside regular business hours. It is also unclear whether Trudeau plans to step down immediately or remain in office as prime minister until a new leader is selected.
Trudeau assumed leadership of the Liberal Party in 2013, a period when the party faced significant challenges and had fallen to third place in the House of Commons. Under his leadership, the Liberals rebounded, but recent polling indicates the party is at risk of a significant defeat to the Conservatives in an election mandated to occur by late October.
If Trudeau resigns, it would leave the Liberal Party without a permanent leader during a critical period. This development may also trigger calls for an expedited election to establish a government capable of managing relations with the incoming U.S. administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
The Globe and Mail report suggests that Trudeau has discussed the possibility of Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc serving as interim leader and prime minister. However, one source noted that this arrangement could be problematic if LeBlanc intends to pursue leadership of the party himself.
Trudeau’s potential resignation marks a pivotal moment for the Liberal Party as it navigates its future amidst political and international challenges.