"Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister, to Resign as Liberal Party Leader Soon"

Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, is reportedly set to resign as the leader of the ruling Liberal Party soon.

Yonhap News

On the 5th (local time), the Canadian daily Globe and Mail cited sources saying that Prime Minister Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation as party leader as early as the 6th. The sources said it is uncertain when Trudeau will announce his resignation plans, but it is expected to be announced before the Liberal Party executive meeting scheduled for the 8th. They added, "It is unclear whether Trudeau will step down from the prime ministership immediately upon announcing his resignation or maintain the position until a new leader is elected."

Trudeau faced a resignation crisis after Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada, announced plans to submit a no-confidence motion on the 20th of last month. This is because if the NDP, which had formed a policy coalition, withdraws, it would be impossible to avoid a no-confidence vote. The centrist-left Liberal Party won the 2021 general election but failed to secure an outright majority for the second consecutive election. Since then, it has maintained its position in parliament through a coalition with the progressive New Democratic Party.

The NDP expressed dissatisfaction with the Liberal Party's failure to address inflation last year, but since it did not support the main opposition Conservative Party in the confidence vote between September and October last year, Trudeau was able to maintain his administration. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, issues such as high inflation and criticisms of inadequate response to the second Trump administration's governance led to a decline in Trudeau's approval ratings.

Moreover, with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland abruptly resigning last month after conflicts over tariff responses to the Trump administration, Trudeau's position has weakened. Trudeau has remained silent in response to calls for his resignation following Freeland's departure.

If Trudeau resigns as Liberal Party leader, there is speculation that demands to hold an early general election will surge, as political leadership is needed to respond to the launch of the second Trump administration.