Rae abandons leadership bid; Ignatieff next Liberal chief
OTTAWA — Michael Ignatief will be the next leader of the federal Liberal party.
The Canadian Press has learned rival candidate Bob Rae told confidantes during a teleconference call today that he is withdrawing from the race. It now rests with the party executive to find a way to install Ignatieff that meets with the approval of the majority of Liberal party members.
The Toronto-area MP will become the third Liberal leader in five years - possibly as soon as Wednesday's caucus meeting.
Ignatieff has been cool to the idea of replacing the Conservative minority government with a Liberal-NDP coalition.
Current party leader Stephane Dion announced Monday he will step aside as soon as a replacement is chosen.
