Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation, stepping down as leader of the ruling Liberal Party after leading it since 2013.
The 53-year-old made the announcement on Monday in Ottawa, citing a prolonged political crisis that led to mounting pressure from top allies for him to resign.
Trudeau stated that Canada’s parliament would be suspended until March 24, when a new leader is set to be chosen.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister,” Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa following a protracted political crisis that saw top Liberal allies urge him to quit.
“Parliament has been paralyzed for months after what has been the longest session of a minority parliament in Canadian history,” he said.
“This morning, I advised the Governor General that we need a new session of parliament. She has granted this request, and the House will now be prorogued until March 24.”
Trudeau will remain prime minister in a caretaker capacity until a new leader is chosen.
He came under further pressure after his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, his deputy prime minister and finance minister resigned in December over clashes on policy including “costly political gimmicks”.
The disagreements included how to handle possible US tariffs imposed by Donald Trump’s incoming administration.
Mr Trudeau’s resignation comes as the polls show his party is likely to suffer a heavy defeat to the official opposition Conservatives in an election that must be held by late October.
The Liberals must now name an interim leader to take over as prime minister ahead of a special leadership convention.
