The Liberal Party of Canada has announced that it will choose a new leader on March 9, setting the stage for a leadership race following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement that he will step down, Al Jazeera reports.
The move comes as the party faces a challenging political landscape and seeks to revitalize its support ahead of the 2025 general elections
The Liberal Party’s National Board of Directors convened Thursday evening to establish the initial rules and timeline for the upcoming leadership contest. In a statement released late Thursday, the party declared, “After a robust and secure nation-wide process, the Liberal Party of Canada will choose a new leader on March 9, and be ready to fight and win the 2025 election.”
The party confirmed that the leadership vote will conclude on March 9, with the new leader being announced on the same date. Trudeau, who has served as prime minister for nine years, announced his intention to step down on Monday, citing pressure from politicians concerned by the party’s poor performance in recent pre-election polls. He will remain in both roles until a successor is chosen.
The entry fee for candidates seeking the party leadership has been set at $350,000 Canadian dollars ($243,000 USD).
Speculation is already swirling about potential contenders. According to a report in The Globe and Mail, former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and former central banker Mark Carney are expected to enter the race. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne are reportedly still considering their options.
Trudeau’s announcement that parliament would be suspended until March 24, has effectively pushed any potential election to at least May. However, with the next mandatory election slated for no later than October 2025, the Liberals face an uphill battle to regain voter confidence.
Recent polls paint a bleak picture for the party, with most suggesting that the opposition Conservatives are poised to secure a resounding victory in the next election. A recent poll by Nanos shows the Liberals trailing the Conservatives by a wide margin, 45 percent to 23 percent, regardless of who takes the helm.
