Embattled Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could resign as soon as this week, according to local media, after his fragile leadership was tested by the resignation of a prominent Cabinet minister last month.
The Globe and Mail newspaper was among the outlets reporting on Monday that Trudeau would likely announce his resignation before a major meeting of his Liberal Party on Wednesday, citing sources close to the prime minister.
It is not yet clear whether he will resign only as party leader or also as prime minister.
The 53-year-old has been leader of the Liberal Party for 11 years and prime minister since the end of 2015. But criticism of Trudeau has long been simmering and he has only been able to form minority governments since 2019.
Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s finance minister and one of Trudeau’s closest allies, announced her resignation on December 16. Freeland was considered the most powerful minister in Trudeau’s Cabinet and her exit over differences on economic policy dealt his unpopular government a major blow.
Trudeau’s reputation as a progressive superstar has long since fallen: Although he is credited with leading Canada forward on issues like the climate crisis, gender equality and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, scandals such as suppressed corruption investigations have tarnished his image amid a tough economic landscape.
Trudeau’s government had already been on the ropes before Freeland’s departure.
The left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) said in September it was withdrawing support for Trudeau’s minority government. The deal between the parties had seen the NDP lend its votes to help get some Liberal initiatives passed through parliament in Ottawa.
