Justin Trudeau Resigns As Canada PM; What Does His Exit Means For India?

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his decision to resign as both the head of government and leader of the ruling Liberal Party once a successor is selected. The announcement followed Trudeau's nine-year tenure in office and mounting pressure from within his party for a leadership change. "I intend to resign as party leader as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process," Trudeau told reporters while addressing the much-awaited press conference. The development has now left the party without a permanent leader just as polls indicate a significant defeat by the official opposition, the Conservatives, in the upcoming election, which is likely to take place by late October this year. Openly admitting internal conflicts within his party, Trudeau said, "This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I have to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election". "I am a fighter. Every bone in my body has always told me to fight because I care deeply about Canadians. And the fact is, despite the best efforts to work through it, Parliament has been paralysed for months. That's why this morning I advised the Governor-General that we need a new session of Parliament. She has granted this request and the House will now be prorogued until March 24," he added. Justin Trudeau rose to power in 2015, ending a decade of Conservative Party governance, and was initially celebrated for steering Canada back toward its liberal roots.