Explanation | Canadian Justin Trudeau faces calls to resign. What could happen next?

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing growing pressure to resign from his own Liberal Party after his top minister abruptly resigned and criticized his handling of the budget.

Trudeau led the country for nearly a decade but has become widely unpopular in recent years due to a wide range of issues, including the high cost of living and rising inflation.

There is no mechanism for Trudeau’s party to expel him in the short term. He could resign, or his party could be driven from power by a “no confidence” vote in Parliament that would trigger an election that would most likely favor the opposing Conservative Party.

If his party were to survive a vote in Parliament – ​​which seems increasingly unlikely – Trudeau could choose to remain prime minister until there is an election.

Here’s a closer look at possible paths forward for Trudeau and Canada.

Trudeau could resign, allowing other Liberals to run for his position