In a historic announcement from his official residence at “Rideau Cottage,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation from the leadership of the Liberal Party, stating that he will continue to perform his duties as Prime Minister until a new leader of the party is chosen.

Trudeau explained that his decision came due to the difficulty of overcoming the “internal conflicts” within the party, saying:

“I told my children during dinner last night about the decision I am sharing with you today. This country deserves a real choice in the upcoming elections, and it has become clear to me that if I am forced to fight internal battles, I will not be the best choice for those elections.”

Trudeau also requested that the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, suspend the work of Parliament until March 24, which was granted, thus ending the longest parliamentary session in the history of Canada’s minority government.

Reasons for Resignation and Trudeau's Messages

During his speech, Trudeau emphasized that he is not the type to shy away from battles, but he felt that his decision would ease the political polarization currently seen in the Canadian political landscape.

He added:

“I hope that my absence will help reduce the level of political tension and allow the government to focus on the complex issues we face in the coming months.”

Trudeau proudly referred to his accomplishments, including support for the middle class, reducing poverty rates, and promoting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, while expressing regret for not fulfilling his promise to reform the electoral system.

Impact of Resignation on the Political Landscape

This resignation comes at a critical time, as the Canadian Parliament has been experiencing political stalemate since September. The suspension of Parliament is expected to end any legislative work that has not been approved, leaving economic and political issues pending until next March.

Opposition leaders, including Pierre Poilievre from the Conservative Party, have called for early elections, expressing doubts about the Liberal Party's ability to bring about real change.

International Statements Following Trudeau's Resignation

Alongside the announcement of Trudeau's resignation, elected U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his desire for Canada to join as a U.S. state, a statement that sparked widespread controversy.

The Canadian opposition parties described this resignation as an opportunity to change the political course in the country.