Shaky Ground
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Disgruntled members of Canada’s Liberal Party gave Prime Minister Justin Trudeau until Monday to decide whether he will remain as party leader or risk an internal revolt, as growing dissatisfaction over his leadership threatens to weaken the governing party ahead of the elections next year, the Guardian reported.
Twenty-four Liberal lawmakers signed a letter calling for Trudeau’s resignation following a closed-door caucus meeting Wednesday. In their letter, they expressed concern that Trudeau’s leadership style and declining popularity are damaging the party.
About 30 legislators took the mic during the three-hour session to urge Trudeau to step down, with many noting that while they don’t oppose his policies, they believe his personality has become a distraction, according to Politico.
Some party members are worried that without a change in leadership, the Liberals could place third in the election, which must be held by fall 2025.
Trudeau – who has been in power for nine years – responded by saying the Liberal Party remains “strong and united,” but did not address the calls for his resignation. He left the meeting without committing to a decision about his leadership future.
Still, the prime minister’s popularity has been steadily declining, with the Liberal Party trailing the Conservative Party by nearly 20 points in the polls. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has dominated public opinion polls for more than a year, capitalizing on voter frustration with housing shortages, rising crime, and inflation.
Calls for Trudeau’s resignation and questions about his leadership spiked after the Liberals lost key strongholds in Toronto and Montreal in recent by-elections.
While no clear alternative party leader has emerged, pressure continues to mount within the party with some lawmakers threatening to side with the Conservatives in upcoming legislative votes if Trudeau does not step down.
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