Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his decision to step down as the leader of the Liberal Party and, subsequently, as Canada’s prime minister.

Speaking from Rideau Cottage in Ottawa on Monday, Trudeau revealed that his resignation will take effect once the Liberal Party selects a new leader through a comprehensive national process.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” Trudeau stated.

Trudeau, 53, who has served as Canada’s 23rd prime minister since 2015, expressed his deep commitment to the country and its citizens.

“I’m a fighter. Every bone in my body has always told me to fight because I care deeply about Canadians. I care deeply about this country, and I will always be motivated by what is in the best interest of Canadians,” he said during his address.

The announcement comes on the heels of recent turbulence within Trudeau’s government. Last month, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned, citing differences with Trudeau over how to address challenges posed by the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump.

Freeland, in a public letter announcing her resignation, highlighted concerns about Trump’s proposed aggressive economic nationalism, including potential tariffs on Canadian imports.

“Our country today faces a grave challenge,” Freeland wrote. “The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 percent tariffs. We need to take that threat extremely seriously.”

She emphasized the importance of resisting “costly political gimmicks” and forming a unified “Team Canada response” to the challenge. Freeland also noted that Trudeau had asked her to step down as finance minister but offered her another role in the Cabinet, which she declined.

Following Freeland’s departure, Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, assumed her responsibilities as finance minister. Additionally, Housing Minister Sean Fraser recently announced his decision not to seek reelection, citing personal reasons and a desire to spend more time with family.

These resignations coincide with declining public support for Trudeau’s Liberal Party. Recent polls indicate the party is at its lowest level of support in years, trailing the Conservative Party by a significant 21-point margin ahead of the federal election, which must be held by October 20.

Justin Trudeau’s tenure as prime minister marked nearly a decade of leadership during pivotal moments for Canada, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing climate change, and advocating for social equity. His decision to resign mirrors the path of his father, former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who also retired from politics before a subsequent election after serving as prime minister from 1968 to 1979 and from 1980 to 1984.

As Trudeau prepares to step away from leadership, the Liberal Party faces the task of rebuilding under new direction while addressing challenges and preparing for the upcoming federal election.