TORONTO — A former human-rights professor at Harvard University was set to become leader of Canada’s once- dominant Liberal Party after the only other candidate for the post withdrew from the race Tuesday.
Michael Ignatieff, 61, could become Canada’s next prime minister if the Liberals and two left-of-center opposition parties stick with a plan to topple Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government and are allowed to form a coalition government in late January. Ignatieff, however, appears lukewarm to the idea and is expected to move the party to the right.
The current Liberal leader, Stephane Dion, said he was stepping down earlier than expected after an effort to topple Harper’s government failed last week.
Ignatieff was expected to be named leader of Canada’s main opposition party after rival Bob Rae said he was pulling out. That opened the way for Ignatieff to be chosen leader Dec. 17 by the party’s national executive and then acclaimed as permanent leader at a party convention in May.
