Premier of Canadian province Manitoba will not seek re-election

FILE PHOTO: Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister speaks to the press following the First Ministers' Meeting in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, December 7, 2018. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - Premier Brian Pallister, leader of the Canadian province of Manitoba, said on Tuesday he will not seek re-election, amid waning popularity over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and for his government's inflamed relations with indigenous groups.

Pallister, 67, a former school teacher and member of Parliament, has served as premier for five years, winning consecutive majority governments.