Over in Canada.
Prime Minister Justine Trudeau announced Monday that he will step down from office, following his ruling Liberal Party’s leadership election.
Lee Seung-jae has the details.
Following years of declining support from the public, as well as his own caucus, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will resign from office, once his ruling Liberal Party chooses its next leader.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process. Last night I asked the President of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”
Trudeau has been facing heavy pressure to step down from within his party, especially as polls showed that the ruling party faces a landslide loss in the next election.
The Canadian leader said that it’s difficult to lead the party going into the next election, given the “internal battles.”
“As you all know, I am a fighter and I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this one is. But I have always been driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians and by what is in the best interests of Canadians, and Canadians deserve a real choice in the next election, and it has become obvious to me with the internal battles that I cannot be the one to carry the liberal standard into the next election.”
In the meantime, the country’s parliament will be suspended until March 24th, while a new party leader is chosen.
The White House on Monday responded to the announcement with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre calling Trudeau a friend of the United States during his years as the Canadian leader, who worked closely with the U.S. on many issues facing the two countries and the world.
She said President Joe Biden appreciates Trudeau’s commitment to protecting North America from geopolitical threats, and his work to keep the region economically competitive.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on the other hand, brought up the idea of Canada joining the U.S. as a 51st state, and the benefits it could bring.
Taking to Truth Social following Trudeau’s announcement, Trump said if Canada merged with the U.S. there would be no tariffs, and it would also be safe from the threat of the Russian and Chinese ships that “are constantly surrounding them.”
Trudeau was the Liberal Party leader for 11 years,.. and prime minister for nine.
As well as mounting issues,.. including Trump’s tariff threats and declining public opinion polls, many pundits see his resignation as choosing to jump before he’s pushed out, ahead of the general election later this year.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=279653
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