Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday in Ottawa that he is stepping down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Trudeau, whose minority government is weaker than ever, added during a press briefing that he will remain prime minister until his successor is chosen.
“I intend to resign as party leader and prime minister once the party chooses its next leader,” he said.
In power since 2015, Trudeau indicated that he met with Governor General Mary Simon who agreed to extend the current parliamentary session until March 24.
The Liberal leader’s announcement comes two days before a Liberal caucus meeting and at a time when the list of MPs from his own party calling for his resignation continues to grow.
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Trudeau, whose popularity is in free fall, finds himself in a bad position facing the growing popularity of Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre.
The Liberals lost the support of their left-wing ally in parliament, the New Democratic Party (NDP).
The next Canadian federal elections must take place no later than October 20.
According to a recent poll, the Conservative Party of Canada (opposition) is well ahead of the Liberal Party in voting intentions.
The conservatives come first with 43% of voting intentions, followed by the Liberal Party (21%) and the New Democratic Party (21%), indicates the survey conducted by Abacus Data.
A snap election could be called if the NDP decides to support the efforts of the Conservative Party and the Bloc Québécois to overthrow the government.
