So not happy :teary2:
*Alberta’s Ralph Klein to quit politics earlier than he planned *
*Tue Apr 04, 12:55 PM EST
EDMONTON (CP) - Under pressure from members of his once fiercely loyal Progressive Conservative party, Alberta Premier Ralph Klein has decided to quit politics earlier than he had planned.
Klein told a news conference at the legislature Tuesday that he will submit a letter to the party in September, asking that a leadership convention be held.
“As soon as a successor is chosen, I will resign my position as party leader and premier, but I will work with the party’s new leader to facilitate a smooth transition to government,” he said.
Klein said his timetable sees him leaving by the end of December.
Currently Canada’s longest-serving premier, Klein led the Tories to four massive majorities over 13 years and made Alberta the only debt-free province in the country.
He had said that this would be his last term, prompting an unofficial race for the political job Klein himself once called the best in Canada.
Last weekend that race heated up when Klein, who traditionally enjoyed over 90 per cent support from his party, received only 55 per cent from delegates at the Conservatives’ annual convention in Calgary. Klein wanted to remain as premier until the spring of 2008, but he indicated the vote changed that plan.
“That support was not what I anticipated, nor is it strong enough for me to stay on as long as I had intended,” he said. “Now I find myself in a position where even though Albertans gave our government a resounding majority mandate only 16 months ago, and a large percentage of Albertans continue to support me as premier . . . the political realities will make it increasingly difficult for me to do my job and will only take away from what the government is trying to achieve.”
Many in the Conservative party said his original retirement plans would delay the leadership race too long. Others have accused him of a lack of vision in recent months.
But on Tuesday, he was interrupted numerous times by applause from caucus colleagues and thanked them for their calls of support. He also said he had received 800 messages from Albertans, 99.9 per cent positive.
Six men - including two current cabinet ministers and one who was booted from the Tory caucus for criticizing Klein’s long goodbye - have said they’re interested in seeking the party leadership. Reform party founder and former leader Preston Manning has also said he’s considering a run.
Klein, a former television reporter and mayor of Calgary, took over the Tory leadership in December 1992 from former premier Don Getty.
The Conservatives hold 62 of 83 seats in the legislature.*