Justin Trudeau nears resignation: What’s next for Canada's liberals?
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly on the verge of resigning after nine years at the helm of the Liberal Party and the government, according to a Reuters source.
While the final decision has yet to be made, the announcement could come just before an emergency meeting of Liberal MPs, set for Wednesday.
Trudeau is under growing pressure from his Liberal colleagues, worried by unfavorable polls indicating their party would suffer a decisive defeat to the Conservatives in the next elections. The situation escalated following the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who accused Trudeau of favoring "political maneuvers" over the national interest.
What happens if Trudeau resigns?
Should Trudeau resign, the Liberal Party would need to appoint an interim leader to serve as Prime Minister until a special convention is organized to elect a new leader.
Interim Leader: By tradition, the interim leader does not enter the race for party leadership. One potential candidate could be Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, though his involvement depends on whether he decides to run for the party’s top position.
Convention for the New Leader: Organizing a convention could take months, potentially complicating matters in the event of a snap election.
If Trudeau remains in office until a new leader is chosen, Parliament could continue to function as usual. However, the opposition might attempt to topple the government through a vote of no confidence once the parliamentary session resumes on January 27. Should the motion pass, a snap election would be triggered.
What do the experts say?
Without a vote of no confidence or a voluntary resignation, Trudeau cannot be compelled to step down. Constitutionally, the final decision rests with the Governor General, Mary Simon, though her intervention is highly unlikely as long as the Prime Minister retains the support of the parliamentary majority.
Should Trudeau resign, the Liberal Party would need to swiftly find a leader capable of uniting the party and crafting a strategy for the next elections, due by October 2025.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
