Justin Trudeau's resignation as Prime Minister of Canada, despite being politically forced, is a rare example of a leader stepping back and doing what's best for the country, whether intentionally or not. . Many other leaders have passed their sell-by date and are probably actively doing damage, so we should pay careful attention and consider following their example.
Much can be said about how Prime Minister Trudeau squandered his position as the clean-cut face of global liberalism when he took power in Ottawa in 2015.The embodiment of progressive excessCanada is mired in scandal over insane levels of immigration and all kinds of wokeness, but that's what he did, because he's really naive.
for example, 471,808 new permanent residents This influx has resulted in an increase in immigrants, who now account for 23 per cent of Canada's total population. Highest percentage in the past 150 years. This has raised concerns about housing affordability and social services, but there is also another point. Like our neighbor to the south, Canadians are a nation of many different ethnic groups, but we are also a distinct people. Major changes in culture are to an extent undesirable.
Prime Minister Trudeau doesn't seem to know this, perhaps because his roots are in the French-speaking province of Quebec, which is different from the rest of Canada's English-speaking regions. He took multiculturalism, which is essentially a good idea, a step or two too far. As a result, his Liberal Party lost its majority years ago and has been forced to govern in a now-broken coalition, perhaps in part due to the incoming administration of President Donald Trump in Washington. This was probably forced by the conflict between the two.
If Prime Minister Trudeau were, say, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, there would be endless intrigue, manipulation, gaslighting, legal maneuvering, and dirty tricks. Anything for one more second of power. The corruption trial, the last four inconclusive elections, his poor health, his wife's conviction, the catastrophic failure of October 7th, the ongoing hostage situation, and the demands of an investigation by the majority of the Israeli public. Nothing matters.
Prime Minister Trudeau instead chose to resign, acknowledging that infighting within his party would prevent him from addressing challenges such as inflation, anger over immigration and difficult politics, saying “this country deserves a real choice.” .
This drive to go quietly is rooted in the democratic instinct to maintain stability and provide regeneration. As a result, Trudeau has a chance to be remembered for beneficial reforms. cannabis legalization Although his later years were marred by public discontent, he attended child care programs.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is currently the elected official who is doing his country the most harm – and I have explained at length why. But he is not the only moderate advocate of eternal rule, elected, autocratic, or autocratic.
A partial list could include President Vladimir Putin, who has clung to power in Russia since 1999, eroding democratic institutions, invading Ukraine, and isolating his country economically and politically. be. China's Xi Jinping is no longer subject to restrictions Term restrictions from 2018 onwardscentralizing power, suppressing freedoms in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, escalating tensions over Taiwan, and risking global instability.
During his two decades in power, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has weakened democratic institutions, implemented disastrous economic policies and polarized society. Belarus' Alexander Lukashenko and Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro have turned their countries into pariah states through repression, corruption and economic ruin. Meanwhile, long-term African rulers such as Cameroon's Paul Biya (prime minister or president since 1975) and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni (president since 1986) have perpetuated stagnation, corruption and conflict. Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega has been desecrating the landscape since the early 1980s.
It's obvious why they all left. Long-term governance tends toward institutional corruption, fostering corruption and inefficiency and stifling new leadership. These leaders undermine public trust, polarize the nation, and provoke unrest and even violence. Their long-term rule frequently isolates their countries internationally, as in the case of Putin, Lukashenko, and Ortega, while undermining stability and economic growth, as in the case of Maduro and Biya.
Leaders like Prime Minister Trudeau are demonstrating the value of leaving at the right time, preserving both personal legacy and national resilience. For those clinging to power, voluntary secession may offer an opportunity to heal, rebuild, and move forward with their countries.
Think about the pig-ness involved.
President Putin, who rules the world's largest country by territory, invaded Ukraine to seize more territory. Mr. Xi, who competes with India to become the world's most populous nation, aspires to increase Taiwan's population by 25 million people. Netanyahu, who has served as Israel's prime minister longer than anyone else, has sacrificed the country's stability to buy time in office.
Prime Minister Netanyahu heads the most religious coalition in Israel's history. Obviously, the path to his heart may be through Jewish wisdom, especially the Tenth Commandment. I believe it deserves a place of honor. “Thou shalt not covet.”
King Louis XIV of France famously declared, “L'État, c'est moi” (“I am the nation”). This is a widespread delusion. Louis XIV died in 1715, the French monarchy soon followed, and the world continued to spin to its tune. The king is dead, long live the nation!
Dan Perry is a former Cairo-based Associated Press Middle East editor and London-based Europe/Africa editor, former president of the Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem, and the author of two books. please follow himdanperry.substack.com.
