Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as prime minister and Liberal Party leader on Monday.
Addressing the presser, Trudeau said, “I intend to resign as party leader as PM after the party selects its next leader… Last night I asked the president of the Liberal Party to start the process.”
“This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election,” he added.
Who could be the next PM?
After his resignation, the seat for the prime ministeral post is left vacant. According to crypto-based prediction platform Polymarket, Pierre Poilievre, who leads the Conservative Party, stands as the leading candidate to become Canada’s next prime minister post-election.
Polymarket, which previously predicted Trump’s 2024 electoral success, indicates a 92 per cent likelihood for Poilievre’s victory.
Another candidates are Chrystia Freeland and Jagmeet Singh.
Following her December departure from Trudeau’s Cabinet, which intensified calls for his resignation, Chrystia Freeland receives a 5 per cent probability from Polymarket for becoming the next prime minister. She stands amongst potential successors to lead the Liberal Party should Trudeau step aside.
Polymarket assigns a 2 per cent chance to Jagmeet Singh, who heads the New Democratic Party, currently supporting Trudeau’s Liberals in maintaining governmental control, to become the nation’s next leader.
Background on Pierre Poilievre
Who is Pierre Poilievre?
At 45, Poilievre has led both the Conservative Party of Canada and the opposition since 2022. His parliamentary service began in 2004, representing Carleton, Ontario.
Under former prime minister Stephen Harper’s administration, he served as minister for democratic reform (2013-2015) and later as minister of employment and social development in 2015, Newsweek reported.
A campaign website biography describes him as “a life-long conservative, champion of a free market, and fighter for people taking ownership of and responsibility for their own futures.”
Originally from Calgary, Alberta, he completed his International Relations degree at the University of Calgary. He resides with his wife Anaida and their children, Valentina and Cruz.
Who is Chrystia Freeland?
Chrystia Freeland serves as Canada’s deputy PM and finance minister, holding significant influence in the nation’s political landscape. Her reputation stems from her economic acumen and diplomatic capabilities, making her a crucial supporter of Trudeau.
Despite her previous position as a trusted senior adviser in his close circle, tensions with the prime minister’s office culminated in her unexpected December departure.
Her public resignation statement, which included pointed critiques of Trudeau, intensified the pressure on his leadership and suggested his eventual exit was unavoidable.
The 56-year-old, who has Ukrainian heritage through her mother and hails from Alberta, worked as a journalist before transitioning to politics. Following her 2013 entry into the House of Commons, she joined Trudeau’s cabinet as trade minister in 2015 after the party’s electoral victory.
Who is Jagmeet Singh?
Jagmeet Singh, leader of New Democratic Party, had earlier provided the support to Trudeau’s Liberal Party with the votes it needed to move legislation through Parliament but later he promised to bring a motion to defeat the government in the House of Commons after Parliament returns from a holiday break next month.
“The Trudeau Liberals said a lot of the right things,” Singh wrote. “Then they let people down again and again. Justin Trudeau failed in his biggest job as prime minister: to work for the people.” “The Liberals,’’ he added, “don’t deserve another chance.”
He is another contender which Polymarket assigns a 2 per cent chance for his victory.
