Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced plans to resign as leader of the nation’s Liberal Party.
Trudeau will remain Prime Minister until the Liberal Party selects a new leader through a “robust, nationwide, competitive process,” he told reporters at a news conference outside Rideau Cottage on Monday.
He also met with Governor General Mary Simon and requested the prorogation of Parliament until March 24, effectively pausing legislative activities.
Trudeau, who has led the Liberal Party for 11 years and served as prime minister since 2015, has faced mounting pressure from within his own party due to plummeting poll numbers and internal political turmoil, including the sudden departure of his deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland in mid-December.
With a general election scheduled for later this year, Trudeau's resignation appears to be a preemptive step to allow the Liberal Party to regroup.
“This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election,” Trudeau said on Monday.