Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may resign soon. According to the Globe and Mail, Trudeau is likely to announce on Monday that he will step down as leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party after nine years in power.
At the same time, Reuters reported, citing a source, that he has not yet made a final decision.
Trudeau’s ratings have collapsed due to economic problems and ministerial resignations, and they have fallen below the opposition Conservatives, who have 38 per cent of the vote, and the prime minister’s party, which has 25 per cent.
Trudeau’s political standing worsened in December when he tried to demote Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland after she opposed his proposals to increase spending. This caused Freeland to resign. After that, there were predictions that Trudeau could lose his position in early 2025.
A source told the publication that Trudeau realised he had to make a statement before meeting with the Liberal caucus to avoid appearing as if he was forced to resign by his own party members.
The Globe and Mail notes that Trudeau will leave the party without a permanent leader at a time when polls show the Liberals are crushingly losing to the Conservatives in an election due by the end of October. According to one of the publication’s sources, the prime minister has discussed with Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc whether he would be willing to take over as interim leader and prime minister. Admittedly, this will not be possible if Leblanc plans to run for leader.
The day before, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced his resignation after negotiations to form a new government coalition failed.
According to Kronen Zeitung, the country’s President Alexander Van der Bellen said that the new chancellor will take up his duties next week and will fulfil them until a new Cabinet is formed.
