Rob Lantz is widely expected to announce his resignation as Prince Edward Island's 34th premier Thursday night as he enters the race for the permanent leadership of the province's Progressive Conservative Party, CBC News has learned.

The news comes one day after the P.E.I. PC Party announced the date for its leadership convention , which will take place Feb. 7.

Under the party's constitution, Lantz has to resign as interim leader within 10 days of the announcement of the leadership convention in order to run.

Lantz has been premier and the PC Party's interim leader since February, when former premier Dennis King resigned.

It is not yet known who will take Lantz’s place and become the province’s third premier in a single year, but CBC News has been told P.E.I.’s 35th premier will be

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