<h1>National leader resigns, prompting party leadership contest and short-term policy uncertainty despite strong GDP and rising markets</h1> A national leader announced resignation as head of government and ruling party, triggering an internal party leadership election and short-term political uncertainty that could affect policy-making while the minority governing party remains in power. Markets broadly rose regionally despite the political change, with notable moves in equity, commodity and currency markets. Revised national GDP figures showed stronger-than-expected quarterly growth, reinforcing near-term economic resilience. U.S. labor data disappointed, increasing market expectations of an imminent central bank interest-rate cut. Legal and regulatory implications include potential shifts in executive priorities, continuity of existing legislation under a minority government, and possible timing changes for economic policy measures pending new party leadership.