Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation as leader of the ruling Liberal Party in the coming days, according to Canadian media, ahead of an October election he is expected to lose.
With a national caucus meeting looming on Wednesday, sources say Trudeau will likely step down as early as Monday, with a resignation appearing as a choice instead of being pushed out. It is not clear whether he would leave immediately or remain in his position until new leadership is selected.
UPDATE: Livestreaming of press conference is set to begin at 11:00amET. Watch below:
Trudeau’s popularity has plummeted amid record inflation, an acute housing crisis, high food prices and voter fatigue with incumbent politicians.
Trudeau’s outlook was also hampered by the surprise resignation in mid-December of deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, also finance minister, who expressed doubt of Trudeau’s ability to deal with Trump’s threat of 25% tariffs to Canada.
Trump has continued belittling Trudeau as “governor” of Canada.
Trudeau’s resignation would leave the Liberal Party without a permanent leader before the election, where polls show he is behind Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre by more than 20 points in national polling averages.
Poilievre has recently found a following with some in Trump’s base, including Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and owner of X. Late last year, Musk called Trudeau “an insufferable tool,” adding that Trudeau “won’t be in power for much longer.”
