Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation Monday, saying he will leave office as soon as his party chooses a new leader as slumping polls and internal division took their toll.

After more than nine years in power, Trudeau's support within the ruling Liberal party began crumbling in 2024 due to intensifying public criticism focused on the rising cost of living.

His authority was then badly shaken by the surprise departure last month of his finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland.

"I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader," Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa following a slow-rolling political crisis that saw top Liberal allies urge him to quit.

It was not immediately clear how long Trudeau, 53, will remain in office as a caretaker premier.

He said the Liberal leadership race will be "a robust, nationwide competitive process."

That means Trudeau will continue to lead Canada when incoming US president Donald Trump takes office this month and will be tasked with leading the country's initial response to the new US administration, including a possible trade........

© International Business Times