Kevin Rudd has resigned as Prime Minister of Australia after his deputy secured enough support to overthrow him, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports. Rudd, a Labor Party politician, decided to step aside rather than contest a ballot he knew he would lose.
Julia Gillard, the country's first female Prime Minister "now has the task of leading a party traumatized and divided by the recent dramatic events to the federal election which could be held in a matter of weeks."
Daniel Berman: "All in all, the leadership coup which toppled Kevin Rudd occurred in
half a day, with less than twelve hours between the announcement of a
challenge by his deputy, Julia Gillard, and his decision to resign in
the face of almost certain defeat."