Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is being challenged for the leadership by senior cabinet minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Turnbull, long considered a major challenger to the PM, visited Abbott’s office on Monday afternoon requesting a ballot for the top job.
The challenge comes seven months after Abbott survived one party challenge to his leadership.
He has been plagued by poor opinion polls and a hostile upper house.
Turnbull, who has now resigned from his position as communications minister, is expected to hold a press conference soon.
He and Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop on Monday asked Abbott to hold the ballot, the Australian Broadcasting Corp reported.
A challenge had been expected later this year, particularly if Abbott’s Liberal Party performed poorly at a by-election for the seat of Canning in Western Australia, this weekend.
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