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'Complete and utter shock' after abrupt resignations of two Atlantic premiers
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The surprising resignation of two well-liked Atlantic premiers has left some political experts shaking their heads in disbelief — and marvelling at the mounting demands on anyone running a province.
Andrew Furey said Tuesday he would step down as premier of Newfoundland and Labrador as soon as the Liberals choose a new leader; Dennis King resigned as premier of Prince Edward Island on Friday at noon. Furey's resignation in particular was a "complete and utter shock," said Alex Marland, a political science professor at Acadia University.
"The thing that is a commonality — and that is a little perplexing — is the abruptness of both resignations," Marland said in an interview Wednesday. "Usually, when leaders leave, they don't want to leave … and when they do step down, it's usually because they're behind in the polls. And that's not the case in both of these premiers."
Two Atlantic provinces and the federal Liberal party are looking for new leaders as the country faces threats of punishing tariffs and annexation from United States President Donald Trump, said Jörg Broschek, a political science professor at Wilfrid Laurier University.
"This is not the stability we would actually need," he said in an interview. |Read more|