CNN
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Canadian media reports that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will announce as early as Monday that he will step down as leader of the ruling Liberal Party ahead of a general election later this year that he is widely expected to lose.

Trudeau is likely to announce his resignation before a key national caucus meeting on Wednesday, sources told the Globe and Mail and Reuters. However, the sources stressed that Trudeau has not yet made a final decision.

Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party for 11 years and prime minister for nine, is facing a series of crises ranging from Donald Trump’s tariff threats to the resignations of key allies to disastrous opinion polls. His resignation would be seen as a decision by the prime minister to jump in before he is pushed out.

The move would leave the Liberal Party without a permanent leader ahead of the general election. Polls show she is expected to lose badly to the opposition Conservative Party led by the fiery Pierre Poilievre. The election must take place on or before October 20, but could be brought forward.

It is unclear whether Trudeau would also step down as prime minister immediately or remain in office until a new leader is elected. The Liberal Party’s national board, which oversees leadership issues, is scheduled to meet this week, probably after the election meeting.

Trudeau’s government was rocked by the surprise resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland – just hours before she was due to deliver her annual financial update.

In a blistering resignation letter, she criticized Trudeau’s “political games,” likely referring to a two-month sales tax holiday and 250 Canadian dollars ($175) rebates for most workers.

Freeland said Canada “cannot afford” these measures because they are seen as a pre-election handout to win back some voters and because the country faces the serious prospect of huge tariffs imposed by the new Trump administration could be.

Trump, who will return to the White House on January 20, has said he will sign an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on all products imported into the United States from Canada. Trump has also begun disparaging Trudeau and the country of Canada on social media, referring to the prime minister as the “governor” of the “Great State of Canada.”

Trudeau brought the Liberals to power in 2015 and promised a “sunny path” for Canada. He campaigned on progressive issues such as combating climate change and addressing historical grievances against indigenous peoples, but the final years of his term as prime minister were marked by increasing economic discontent.

A viral confrontation with a steelworker who criticized Trudeau for failing to address the high cost of living reflected growing discontent among Canadians.

“You’re not really doing anything for us, Justin,” the worker remarked, underscoring a sentiment that resonated widely.