For months, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been asked variations of the same question: “Will you step down?”
But despite his pledge to remain leader of the Liberal Party – despite growing frustration among voters and the rise of a political rival in the polls – even the self-described “fighter” has been unable to withstand the growing chorus of his own party members calling for him to go. Resignation.
Trudeau admitted on Monday, announcing his resignation in early elections, that “this country deserves a real choice in the upcoming elections, and it has become clear to me that if I have to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best choice in those elections.” In front of Rideau Cottage, his official residence for most of the past decade.
He will remain as Prime Minister until a new Liberal Party leader is chosen, at a date the party has not yet set.
Trudeau came to power nearly a decade ago, heralded as the new face of progressive politics.
In 2015, swayed by his youthful appeal and hopeful political message, voters jumped the Liberals from a third-place party to holding a majority of seats in Parliament – unprecedented in Canadian political history.
Now, he remains the only leader standing among his peers when he took office, from Barack Obama to Angela Merkel, Shinzo Abe and David Cameron. At 53, he is currently the longest-serving leader in the G7.
But in the years since he rose to the world stage, and during two general elections, Trudeau and his brand have become a drag on the party's fortunes.
Paul Wells, a Canadian political journalist and author of Justin Trudeau on the Ropes, recently told the BBC that he believes Trudeau will be remembered as a prime minister of “huge significance,” particularly because he provided real leadership on issues like Indigenous reconciliation and, to some extent, Indigenous people. Climate policy.
But he also “who felt increasingly disconnected from public opinion and was increasingly unable to adapt to the changing times.”
On Monday, Trudeau was quick to tout what he was proud to have accomplished in office, including overcoming the turbulent Covid pandemic, renegotiating a free trade agreement with the recent Trump administration, and implementing a child benefit that is widely seen as helping to alleviate the… Poverty.
But a series of ethics scandals began early to take the shine off the new government – he was found to have violated federal conflict of interest rules in handling the corruption investigation – The SNC-Lavalin case – And for luxury trips to the Bahamas.
In 2020, he faced scrutiny for choosing a charity with ties to his family to run a major government program.
In the 2019 general election, his party was reduced to minority status, meaning the Liberals had to rely on the support of other parties to remain in power.
Early elections in 2021 did not improve their fortunes.
More recently, Trudeau has faced headwinds from cost-of-living increases and inflation that have contributed to election unrest around the world.
There was also frustration in the country over what was seen as a struggle to deliver on big promises — an agenda that was “packed and overcrowded,” Wells said — and his handling of issues such as immigration.
Late last year, the Liberals backed away from ambitious immigration targets over concerns that the issue was being mismanaged, dramatically reducing the number of newcomers allowed in Canada.
He also sometimes handed his opponents easy political victories, including when it was revealed that he had been wearing black and brownface before taking office.
After more than nine years in power, he is among Canada's longest-serving prime ministers, and there is a general feeling of weariness and frustration with his government.
So the writing was on the wall.
A series of political blows showed that Trudeau's days were numbered.
Over the summer, voters rejected Liberal candidates in a few special elections in previously safe Liberal seats, beginning internal turmoil in the party.
He has become an increasingly polarizing figure among voters, with Trudeau saying Monday “it's time to reset” and “let the temperature drop” in Canadian politics.
Public opinion polls have also reached new depths, and attempts to change course through cabinet reshuffles and tax breaks have failed to bring about any change.
A holiday poll conducted by the Angus Reid Institute indicated the lowest level of support for the party in its tracking, dating back to 2014.
Opinion polls suggest that the Conservative Party – led by Pierre Poilievre, a 45-year-old career politician with a knack for using sharp catchphrases in his campaign – would easily win the election if it were held today.
The political instability comes as the country faces a number of challenges, not least a pledge by US President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20, to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods.
However, until the end, Trudeau seemed determined to hold on, citing his desire to confront Poilievre — his ideological opposite — at the ballot box.
But the surprise resignation of Trudeau's chief deputy, former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, in mid-December — citing his perceived failure not to take Trump's threats seriously — was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Members of his party began to make it clear publicly that they no longer supported his leadership.
And with that, the final domino fell.
