TORONTO — Canada’s incumbent Liberal Party will name its next prime minister on March 9 following a leadership vote following Justin Trudeau’s resignation this week, party leaders announced late Thursday. Trudeau will stay prime minister until a new leader is chosen. Former central banker Mark Carney and former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, whose surprise resignation last month drove Trudeau out, are the front-runners for the Liberal leadership.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has decided not to run for office, according to a source close to her. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to speak publicly prior to her statement. The Liberal Party’s National Board of Directors established the race’s rules late Thursday.

“After a robust and secure national process, the Liberal Party of Canada will choose a new leader on March 9, and will be prepared to fight and win the 2025 election,” party president Sachit Mehra said in a statement. The political upheaval occurs at a tough time for Canada. United States President-elect Donald Trump continues to refer to Canada as the 51st state and has threatened to levy 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports.

“After a robust and secure national process, the Liberal Party of Canada will choose a new leader on March 9, and will be prepared to fight and win the 2025 election,” party president Sachit Mehra said in a statement. The political upheaval occurs at a tough time for Canada. United States President-elect Donald Trump continues to refer to Canada as the 51st state and has threatened to levy 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports.

The next Liberal leader may be the shortest-serving prime minister in the country’s history. All three opposition parties have pledged to depose the Liberals’ minority administration in a no-confidence vote when parliament returns on March 24.

The 53-year-old scion of Pierre Trudeau, one of Canada’s most famous prime ministers, became severely unpopular with Canadians over a range of concerns, including the growing cost of food and housing as well as surging immigration. Last month, Trudeau informed Freeland that he no longer wanted her to serve as finance minister, but that she could stay deputy prime minister and the point person for US-Canada ties.

Freeland resigned shortly after and issued a scathing letter about the government, which proved to be the final straw for the besieged leader. She has been meeting with her colleagues this week to consider future moves.

Following her resignation, Trump described Freeland as “totally toxic” and “not at all conducive to making deals.” Freeland was Canada’s point of contact when the United States, Canada, and Mexico renegotiated their free trade agreement during the first Trump administration.

“Protecting the integrity of our democratic process, while still engaging as many people as possible, is one of the Liberal Party of Canada’s top priorities,” the group stated in a statement.