Canadian PM shows no sign of stepping down despite election loss

Doubts about the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intensified after his ruling Liberal Party suffered a second humiliating loss in a special election, but the unpopular leader is determined to cling to office ahead of a looming national vote.

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The Liberals, who have governed for almost nine years, suffered a narrow defeat on Sept 16 in a Montreal constituency that had been one of the party's safest seats.

The loss, following a defeat in Toronto in late June, reinforced the perception that Liberal prospects in the next national election are dim.

The mandate for Mr Trudeau's minority government expires at the end of October 2025, but an early election has become increasingly likely after the smaller New Democratic Party (NDP) dropped its support.

Even so, Mr Trudeau showed no sign on Sept 17 that he may step down before the next election campaign. And the party's mechanisms to force him out are limited.

University of Toronto's assistant professor of political science Andrew McDougall said the Liberals were losing "the crown jewels" in urban strongholds, not marginal seats, highlighting the party's bleak prospects.

"This is obviously a very difficult moment for Justin Trudeau," Prof McDougall said. "It seems to reinforce the narrative that he's yesterday's man, and that if the Liberals are going to win the next election, they're going to have to do it with somebody else."