BR-PEI-Premier

Rob Lantz will succeed Dennis King as premier of Prince Edward Island after King steps down on Friday.

The Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party says the caucus unanimously endorsed Lantz to become interim party leader and premier.

Government house leader Susie Dillon says Lantz would lead the province “in the days, weeks, and months ahead.”

Earlier in the day King made the surprise announcement that he would step down as Tory leader and premier in the best interest of his family and the people of the province.

King has been premier since May 2019, and his party was re-elected in 2023, forming a majority and currently holding 20 of the 27 seats in the legislature.

He says he feels he is leaving on a high note, and that the Progressive Conservatives would win “quite handily” if another election were to be held today.

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