Chrystia Freeland, the prominent Canadian politician whose abrupt resignation as finance minister last year triggered Justin Trudeau’s departure as prime minister, has stepped down from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Cabinet to become Canada’s special envoy for Ukraine’s reconstruction. The 57-year-old Harvard graduate and former journalist announced she will not run in the next election but will maintain her parliamentary seat while taking on this newly created diplomatic role. Freeland, who is of Ukrainian heritage and has been banned from Russia since 2014 due to her criticism of Vladimir Putin, brings strong credentials to this position given her longstanding support for Ukraine during its war with Russia.
Freeland’s political career has been marked by significant highs and dramatic turns. As Trudeau’s most powerful minister serving simultaneously as deputy prime minister and finance minister, her sudden resignation from both positions in December forced Trudeau’s eventual exit from leadership. She subsequently ran for Liberal Party leadership but garnered only 8% of the vote, after which Carney appointed her as transport and internal trade minister. Her political instincts were credited by University of Toronto professor Robert Bothwell for triggering Trudeau’s departure at a time when the Liberals appeared headed for certain defeat.
The former Rhodes scholar, who speaks five languages and maintained influential global connections, also played crucial diplomatic roles internationally. She served as Canada’s chief negotiator during the US-Canada-Mexico trade agreement talks under the Trump administration, during which the former U.S. president labeled her „totally toxic” and „not conducive to making deals.” Despite her intellectual gravitas that complemented Trudeau’s leadership style, Bothwell noted she lacked popularity among fellow Liberal lawmakers and seemed to miss the „common touch” needed for broader political appeal.
Freeland’s transition from Cabinet represents a strategic shift in her career focus. According to sources close to her, the decision to leave was hers alone following weeks of discussions with Carney. While remaining in Parliament temporarily, she plans to pursue writing, teaching, and advocacy work centered on multilateralism and democracy defense. Prime Minister Carney acknowledged her „extraordinary service” over the past decade, marking the end of a significant chapter in Canadian politics as Freeland moves toward reconstruction diplomacy in Ukraine and academic pursuits.
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Forrás: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/chrystia-freeland-leaving-canadian-prime-163557437.html.