Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan resigns from the top job, stepping aside as political pressure within the Victorian Labor Party grows ahead of a state election later this year. Multiple outlets report that the move comes after a leadership challenge was expected, with Allan previously saying she would fight for her position. One report says that, during a recent period of internal Labor turmoil, a group of MPs told Allan she no longer had the support of caucus and urged her to stand down. Her deputy, Ben Carroll, is identified as the key figure in the leadership transition. ABC and other outlets say Allan’s resignation clears the way for Carroll to take over as premier following the leadership process within Labor. The timing is described as close to when a challenge was anticipated, with reports noting Allan’s decision occurs shortly before she was expected to face that challenge. Allan’s announcement is also described as including support for the transition to her deputy, while the outlets collectively frame the resignation as a response to the withdrawal of internal backing and an imminent spill involving the party leadership.