In a big shift in the Canadian politics, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation Monday amid rising discontent over his leadership. Trudeau's resignation comes after the abrupt departure of his finance minister that signalled growing turmoil within his government. However, now Trudeau will serve as interim PM until a new leader of the Liberal Party is chosen.


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"I intend to resign as party leader and Prime Minister after the party selects its next leader for a robust, nationwide, competitive process.  Last night, I asked the President of the Libder Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election and it's becoming clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election," said Trudeau.


Trudeau, who has served as Liberal leader since 2013 and became prime minister in the fall of 2015, announced his much-anticipated decision on Monday morning outside his official residence, Rideau Cottage. With this, Canadian Parliament's upcoming session has been postponed from January 27 to March 24. 


More than 24 individual MPs, along with several regional caucuses from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Ontario, have been urging him to resign since before the holiday season.


Addressing the media, Trudeau said that he is a fighter and he deeply cares about Canadians. "I care deeply about this country and I will always he motivated by what is in the best interest of Canadians. The fact is despite best efforts to work through it, Parliament has been paralysed for months after what has been the longest session of a minority Parliament in Canadian history. 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," said Trudeau.


The 53-year-old scion of one of Canada's most famous prime ministers became deeply unpopular with voters in recent years over a range of issues, including the soaring cost of food and housing, and surging immigration.


Based on the latest opinion polls, Trudeau's chances for success looked slim. In the latest poll by Nanos, the Liberals trail the Conservatives 47% to 21%. A combination of scandal and unpopular policies damaged his prospects over time.


Trudeau's father swept to power in 1968, and led Canada for almost 16 years, becoming a storied name in the country's history, most notably by opening its doors wide to immigrants. Pierre Trudeau was often compared to John F Kennedy and remains one of the few Canadian politicians who are recognised in America. Tall and trim, with movie-star looks, Justin Trudeau channelled the star power — if not quite the political heft — of his father.


He became the second-youngest prime minister in Canada's history, and rivals said his age was a liability when he first sought office. But he won a sweeping mandate in a come-from-behind victory in 2015. Trudeau is a former teacher, nightclub bouncer and snowboard instructor who has three children with his now estranged wife, a former model and TV host. (With agency inputs)