Trudeau to fight elections again, despite separation shake-up

OTTAWA, (Reuters): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s surprise announcement that he and his wife were separating, just a week after a broad cabinet reshuffle, underscores his focus and intent to lead his Liberal Party into a fourth election, despite sagging opinion polls, pollsters and insiders said.

“He’s running again,” said a source close to Trudeau, when asked whether the prime minister might be having second thoughts. The source was not authorized to speak about the matter publicly.

On Wednesday, Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau said they were splitting up after 18 years of marriage. It is one of Trudeau’s biggest personal crises, although insiders and commentators said he wants to ride out the aftershocks.

Justin Trudeau announces separation after 18 years of marriage

The Canadian PM said the couple took the decision after many difficult conversations. His office said the two would focus on raising their children.

Trudeau, 51, has always stressed the importance of family. He and his wife were seen on campaign trails, with his children by his side after three successive wins starting in 2015.

Whenever the next election is held – it must take place by October 2025 but could occur earlier – Trudeau’s campaign by all accounts will look different.

“The shuffle was a political clearing of the decks and this is a sort of personal clearing of the decks … he seems determined to stay on,” said Roderick Phillips, history professor at Ottawa’s Carleton University.