Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his decision to step down amid growing dissent within his Liberal Party. The announcement comes just days before the party's national caucus meeting on Wednesday.

Embattled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his decision to resign as the leader of Canada’s Liberal Party after nine years in office, amid growing pressure from his party and declining public support.

“I intend to resign as party leader and as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process,” Trudeau stated on Monday. He revealed that he had instructed the party the previous evening to begin the process of selecting his replacement.

Trudeau will remain in office until a new Liberal leader is chosen, a role he has held since 2013. Parliament will be prorogued until March 24 as part of the transition.

Having served as prime minister since November 2015, Trudeau is one of Canada’s longest-serving leaders. However, his tenure has faced increasing challenges, particularly in the past two years. Public frustration over high prices and a housing crisis has eroded his popularity, and the Liberal Party has only managed to form minority governments since 2019.

Trudeau's troubles deepened last December when Chrystia Freeland, his finance minister and close ally, resigned over disagreements regarding economic policy. On Monday, Trudeau declined to comment on the details surrounding her departure.

The prime minister’s announcement comes as polls suggest the Liberal Party is on track for a significant defeat in the upcoming election, expected later this year. The opposition Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, are projected to win, positioning Poilievre as Canada’s next prime minister.

Trudeau acknowledged Poilievre’s “vision” for Canada but argued it was “not the right path” for the country.

Trudeau will remain in office on January 20, when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs that could severely impact Canada’s economy, adding to the challenges Trudeau’s government faces in its final months.