When he took over as prime minister in November 2015, at the age of 44, after a real triumph for his Liberal Party, he was considered the rising star on the world political stage. Someone that many tried to emulate.
He managed to become one of the longest-serving in his country, continuing to rule for nine years, even if he lost the absolute majority in the 2019 and 2021 elections.
Internal disputes
amid a months-long government crisis and with the conservative opposition poised to file a no-confidence motion against him in January.
“I intend to step down as party leader and prime minister after the party chooses its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process. Last night I asked the Leader of the Liberal Party to start this process.
This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I have to fight infighting, I cannot be the best choice in this election.”
Dissatisfaction with the economy
It was obvious that the mood had been weighing on him for some time. The reason is the rise in inflation and the housing crisis, which are also plaguing Canada. His policy during the pandemic also caused a lot of opposition, culminating in the now historic truck drivers’ strike against the decision on mandatory vaccination.
Cathy Brock, professor of political science at Queen’s University explains: “Trudeau ended up being very unpopular as prime minister for a number of reasons. One reason is simply that his government is approaching ten years, and that’s when people start to get tired of government. They want to see a change. But in addition, he was thought to be insensitive to the concerns felt by the average person. Like the cost of food, inflation, the cost of petrol, problems with the border, the crime that is shooting up in the cities.”
For the good of Canada
The questioning within his party was now unbearable for him as well, as his words show during the announcement of his decision.
“I’m a fighter and I’m not one to back down from a fight, especially when a fight is so important. But I have always been driven by my love for Canada, my desire to serve Canadians and whatever is in their best interest. Canadians deserve a real choice in the next election. It became clear to me after the infighting that I cannot be the one to express the liberal standard in the next election.”
He will not avoid Trump
For some time, however, he will need to stay in his position and face the first upheavals due to the presidency. Based on his own timetable, the country’s Parliament will be dissolved on March 27 and the elections will probably take place in May.
It remains to be seen if after his decision the climate can be reversed, which the opinion polls show for the decline of the Liberals and a comfortable dominance of the Conservative Party, a sign of the polarization that has also appeared in Canadian society.
However, he spoke of the need for dialogue and consensus and hinted that the current electoral law does not facilitate such a thing.
“I think right now, figuring out how to come together and find common ground remains something that’s really important for democracies. But I could not unilaterally change our electoral system without the support of other parties, which would not be responsible.
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