Justin Trudeau said “this country deserves a real choice” at the next election, after announcing his resignation as prime minister.
Trudeau says it has become clear if he has to fight “internal battles” that he cannot be the best option on the ballot for Canadians.
Trudeau says he made his decision to resign after having a long conversation with his family – he says his success was due to their support. He told his kids about his decision to resign at dinner last night.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’s a fighter, and that every bone in his body tells him to fight.
He says Parliament has been “paralysed for months” – after what he calls the longest session of a minority parliament in Canadian history.
Trudeau goes on to say that’s why the country needs a new session of Parliament, and the house will be pro-rogued until 24 March.
Trudeau says in a news conference in Ottawa that he will stay on as PM until a new Liberal Party leader is chosen.
He had been under growing pressure from within his party and elsewhere to step down.