Complete and utter shock after abrupt resignations of two Atlantic premiers [Video]

The surprising resignation of two well-liked Atlantic premiers has left some political experts shaking their heads in disbelief — and marvelling at the mounting demands on anyone running a province.

Andrew Furey said Tuesday he would step down as premier of Newfoundland and Labrador as soon as the Liberals choose a new leader; Dennis King resigned as premier of Prince Edward Island on Friday at noon. Furey’s resignation in particular was a “complete and utter shock,” said Alex Marland, a political science professor at Acadia University.

“The thing that is a commonality — and that is a little perplexing — is the abruptness of both resignations,” Marland said in an interview Wednesday. “Usually, when leaders leave, they don’t want to leave … and when they do step down, it’s usually because they’re behind in the polls. And that’s not the case in both of these premiers.”

Two Atlantic provinces and …