(CLO) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is at risk of losing power early next year after New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh announced he would introduce a no-confidence motion to dismiss the minority government led by the Liberal Party.
Singh, who has been a staunch supporter of Trudeau’s government’s ability to stay in power, said he would formally introduce a motion of no confidence after the Canadian House of Commons reconvenes on January 27 after its winter break. If all opposition parties support the motion, Trudeau would be forced to leave office after more than nine years in power and an election would be called.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Source: CC-BY-4.0: © European Union 2022 – Source: EP
According to a series of polls over the past 18 months, the Liberals are facing voter discontent, largely due to rising prices and the housing crisis, which is forecast to result in a heavy defeat for the centre-right Conservatives – the official opposition.
Mr Singh, who represents the centre-left, criticised the Liberal Party for being too dependent on big corporations. “Whoever leads the Liberal Party, the time of this government is over,” he said. “We will table a motion of no confidence in the next sitting of the House of Commons.”
The leader of the larger opposition Bloc Québécois also pledged support for the motion, saying “there is no scenario in which Trudeau can retain his position.”
The Conservatives have even asked Governor General Mary Simon, King Charles’ representative in Canada, to convene Parliament before the end of the year to hold a vote of no confidence. However, constitutional experts say this request is unlikely to be accepted.
“We cannot allow a government of chaos to drag the country into the abyss. It is clear that Justin Trudeau has lost the confidence of Parliament,” said Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre.
Pressure on Mr. Trudeau increased after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland unexpectedly resigned this week, forcing him to immediately reshuffle his cabinet. However, Trudeau did not comment on Ms. Freeland's departure.
Trudeau will use the Christmas break to consider his future and is unlikely to make an announcement before January, according to a source in the prime minister's office.
If Trudeau resigns now, it would be difficult for the Liberals to find a new leader before the election, forcing the party to run for office with an interim leader, a situation that has never happened in Canadian history.
The political crisis comes at a crucial time, as US President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office on January 20. Mr. Trump has pledged to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada, which would severely impact the country's economy.
The premiers of Canada's 10 provinces are calling for unity to deal with the tariff threat, criticizing the chaos in Ottawa for leaving the country unprepared.
Hong Hanh (according to Reuters, Foxnews)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/thu-tuong-canada-doi-mat-nguy-co-bi-phe-truat-khi-dong-minh-quan-trong-quay-lung-post326781.html
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