Mr. Trudeau cited "internal conflicts" within the ruling Liberal Party that prevented him from continuing to lead the party in the election scheduled for October this year.
Speaking at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa on January 6 (local time), Mr. Trudeau admitted that increasing pressure from within the Liberal Party and a sharp decline in public opinion polls were the reasons for his decision.
“The country deserves a real choice in the upcoming election, and it is clear that if I am faced with internal battles, I cannot be the best choice,” RT quoted Mr. Trudeau as saying.
Canada’s next general election is scheduled to be held on or before October 20, 2025. Trudeau has asked the Liberal Party president to initiate a leadership search and has suspended Parliament, postponing all parliamentary activities, including debates and votes, until March 24.
The Canadian Parliament is currently on recess and is scheduled to resume on January 27.
Trudeau's decision came after former Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland unexpectedly resigned on December 16. Freeland, who sparked controversy over her family's World War II background, left the cabinet after disagreements over how to respond to US President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports.
Mr Trudeau then traveled to Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in an effort to avoid a trade war, but the effort appeared to have had little positive effect.
The son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeau took power in 2015 and led the Liberal Party to two more victories in 2019 and 2021.
During his tenure, Trudeau pushed through Senate reforms, signed a new trade deal with the United States, legalized marijuana and passed assisted suicide legislation. But his reputation has been severely damaged by a series of unpopular policies, from a carbon tax and mass immigration to strict COVID-19 lockdowns and the crackdown on truckers’ protests.
In addition, Mr. Trudeau also faced criticism for being too sensitive to LGBT issues, while having been exposed for wearing "blackface" makeup in the past.
Recent polls show the Liberals trailing the Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre. With inflation rising and government policies under fire, many opposition leaders and some Liberal MPs have called on Trudeau not to seek a fourth term.
