Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to lead the Liberal Party into the next federal election, dismissing calls from some party members for him to resign, The Associated Press reports.
The decision comes after a three-hour meeting with Liberal MPs on Wednesday, during which Trudeau learned that over 20 lawmakers had signed a letter urging him to relinquish leadership before the next election.
Trudeau acknowledged “robust conversations” about the party’s future but maintained that he would lead the Liberals into the next election.
This decision comes as the Liberals face mounting pressure from within the party and public discontent. Recent polls indicate a significant gap between the Liberals and the Conservative Party, with the Conservatives leading by 38% to 25%. Additionally, recent electoral defeats in Toronto and Montreal, districts traditionally held by the Liberals, have raised concerns about Trudeau’s leadership.
The Liberals currently do not hold a majority in Parliament and rely on the support of at least one other party to remain in power. The leader of the Bloc Québécois has indicated his party’s willingness to work with the Conservatives and New Democratic Party (NDP) to bring down the Liberals and force an early election if the government fails to address pension concerns.
Despite the pressure, Professor Emeritus Nelson Wiseman of the University of Toronto highlights Trudeau’s strong position within the party. “Trudeau holds all the cards. It is up to him if he wants to stay,” he said, referencing changes made to the party’s rules in 2016 that protect the party leader from leadership challenges while serving as Prime Minister.
Trudeau, who inherited the political legacy of his father, late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, rode a wave of support in 2015, reasserting Canada’s liberal identity after a decade of Conservative rule. However, his popularity has waned in recent years as Canadians grapple with rising inflation, immigration concerns, and the country’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic.
