An Acadia University political science professor says the candidate to replace Andrew Furey as leader of the province’s Liberal Party will have to consider the interests of Newfoundland and Labrador first.

Furey cited the uncertainty created by US President Donald Trump as one of the factors that influenced the timing of his decision to resign from the political sphere.

Furey indicated that he and his family didn’t think he could commit to another full four-year term, and surprised the province by announcing his intention to step down.

The race now begins for a successor to the premier. Alex Marland, a former Memorial University political scientist now working at Acadia in Nova Scotia, says while it’s a tumultuous time, ultimately, the next in line will have to have energy and the ability to make difficult decisions.

“Especially in a period when people really need calm, they need assurance. There’s a lot of anxiety regardless of President Trump just because of the cost of living, and inflation and the economy,” says Marland. “It’s going to be very hard for whoever is leader,” but, Marland says, sometimes difficult situations can create opportunities.

“I’m hoping that whoever becomes the next premier is going to come at it with an attitude of trying to serve their community.”