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Canadian Liberal Leader Stephane Dion to Step Down Early

by Rob Walker | December 8, 2008 at 03:42 pm

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UPDATE | 4:30pm EST — In a statement released Monday afternoon, Liberal leader Stéphane Dion has announced that he will step down as soon as a new leader for the party is "duly chosen".

He did not specify a date.

Here is an excerpt from Dion's official statement:

I have decided to step aside as Leader of the Liberal Party effective as soon as my successor is duly chosen.

I will offer my unconditional and enthusiastic support to my successor in the same way I have always supported the leaders of our great party. I will work under the next leader’s direction with all my energy in order to give Canada a better government.

I wish to close by making it absolutely clear that my earlier departure does not change the facts of the situation that the Prime Minister has created in the last two weeks.

Following New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc's decision to drop out of the leadership race, Dion's announcement sets the stage for an immediate head-to-head leadership battle between political rivals Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff to take over the embattled party, ahead of next spring's official convention.

Embattled Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion announced Monday he will step down earlier than planned, leaving his potential successors to battle over who will steer the party ahead of a possible election.

Dion originally planned to stay on as a caretaker leader after the party's dismal election results until his successor was chosen in early May. But he has faced growing pressure from his party to leave due to his handling of the recent political crisis and his widespread unpopularity among voters.

"I have decided to step aside as leader of the Liberal party effective as soon as my successor is duly chosen," Dion said in a release. He did not specify a date.

PREVIOUSLY | 12:42pm EST — Only a few days after Stephen Harper suspended parliament, rumours came out that Liberal leader Stephane Dion could step down as early as Monday afternoon.

Liberal front-runner Michael Ignatieff is the assumption to take over Dion's duties, however Bob Rae has been quiet so far and could make a last-ditch move for leadership of the party.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion could step down as early as today, clearing the way for Michael Ignatieff to take over the top Liberal job.

Dion had been expected to drop out on Wednesday, but CTV News has learned Dion could accelerate his announcement.

NP'er Blue Crush posted about Ignatieff being the likely leader of the Liberals yesterday:

It's just about a done deal. Stephane Dion is expected to resign this week and Dominic LeBlanc has dropped out, backing Michael Ignatieff, Chief Parliamentary Correspondent Craig Oliver told CTV Newsnet tonight.

NowPublic member Mike Wood posted about the thousands of people rallying in Toronto in support of the Coalition.

Federal Liberal leader Stéphane Dion and NDP leader Jack Layton addressed thousands of cold braving supporters at Toronto City Hall’s Nathan Phillips Square yesterday, to pitch their plan of a Liberal-NDP coalition and ousting Stephen Harper’s Conservatives.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, three skinheads showed up and started looking for trouble at a rally in Moncton, New Brunswick:

Three men with shaved heads heckled the crowd of 200 people in Moncton who gathered to support the coalition formed between the two opposition parties to replace the Conservative government.