There have been times in Justin Trudeau’s near-decade as Canada’s prime minister when he seemed unassailable, an ever-present of global liberal politics just as populism-fuelled chaos was engulfing other progressive leaders around the world. But on Monday, Trudeau effectively brought his own era to an abrupt end.
Deeply unpopular with voters at home – as well as his own Liberal party politicians – and openly mocked by US president-elect Donald Trump, Trudeau laid out his intention to step down as party leader, choosing to jump from office before he was pushed. A general election in the coming months now seems certain, with the Conservative party looking likely to return to power after a long hiatus.
