Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau

Justin Trudeau said Monday that he will resign as the leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party, an announcement that will fire the starting gun on a contest to replace him as prime minister.

Trudeau said it was clear that he could not “be the leader during the next elections due to internal battles,” later citing polarization inside and outside the country.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process,” Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. “Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process.”

Read the rest of the story at NBC News