Trudeau runs for Canadian leadership

on 03/10/2012 09:32:32

Hoping to turn around the fortunes of Canada's once-dominant Liberal Party, the eldest son of the late prime minister Pierre Trudeau announced he was following his father's footsteps and launching his bid to obtain the party's leadership.

Justin Trudeau, 40, a charismatic member of Parliament since 2008, made the announcement in front of hundreds of supporters packing a community centre in his Montreal district, ending days of speculation and adding sizzle to the political contest which officially begins next month and ends in April 2013.

Many Liberals hoped Mr Trudeau would run for the leadership of a party that ruled Canada for much of the last century but was regulated to third-party status in the last election.

"I am in love with Canada. I want to dedicate my life to serve it," Mr Trudeau said in French.

Pierre Trudeau, who died at age 80 in 2000, was prime minister for almost all of a 16-year stretch from 1968-84.

Sweeping to power on a wave of support nicknamed Trudeaumania, Mr Trudeau had a charisma reminiscent of another young, dashing politician who had captivated the US eight years earlier - former President John F. Kennedy.

Mr Trudeau's sophisticated, sometimes irreverent style fascinated and captivated his country.

Justin Trudeau was born while his father was prime minister, on Christmas Day, 1971.

Justin gave a moving eulogy at his father's state funeral which fed early speculation he would one day seek office, years before he eventually joined the ranks of his father's party.