On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared his intention to resign, while promising to remain in office until a new leader for the Liberal Party is selected, marking the end of his nine-year tenure.

His resignation follows increasing calls for him to step down ahead of a looming election where the Liberals are predicted to face a significant defeat. Additionally, he has a challenging, often confrontational relationship with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated soon.

“Each morning I woke as Prime Minister, I drew strength from the resilience, generosity, and determination of Canadians,” Trudeau expressed during a press briefing. “This spirit has motivated me every day in this role.”

Trudeau’s announcement coincides with an urgent meeting of Liberal lawmakers scheduled for Wednesday. He stated that Parliament would be on recess until March 24.

“This country deserves a genuine choice in the next election, and it has become apparent that if I am preoccupied with internal conflicts, I cannot be the optimal choice in that election,” he remarked.

Here’s what you should know.

How Long Has Justin Trudeau Been Prime Minister?

Trudeau, who is 53 years old, has led the Liberal Party for 11 years and has served as Canada’s Prime Minister for nine years.

Since taking over as Liberal leader in 2013, when the party was ranked third in the House of Commons, Trudeau successfully brought the Liberals back into power in 2015, promoting a progressive agenda emphasizing women’s rights and combating climate change.

Why Is Justin Trudeau Resigning? Pressure and Conflicts with Trump

The demand for Trudeau to step down has intensified since December as multiple polls indicated that his party might face a serious loss in the upcoming election due to voter dissatisfaction over rising costs and a housing crisis.

Additionally, Trudeau has encountered several crises, including the sudden resignation of Canada’s finance minister Chrystia Freeland, along with Trump’s warning of potentially severe tariffs upon taking office.

According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, over 50 Liberal MPs from Ontario—known as the party’s primary support base—held a discussion on December 21 and reached a consensus that Trudeau needed to resign.

In an effort to manage the situation, Trudeau even traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida, in late November for a meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago shortly after Trump announced intentions to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico.

Trudeau’s relationship with Trump has often been contentious, with Trump sarcastically referring to him as “governor” of Canada and suggesting that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.

Canadian Election Set for October

Trudeau’s resignation means that the Liberal Party will be without a permanent leader prior to the general election, which is mandated to take place by October 20.

This situation is likely to ignite further discussions about the possibility of advancing the election date to establish a stable government quickly, especially in light of the new Trump administration’s potential influence over the next four years.

(This story was updated with the latest information.)