The Parti Quebecois took 59 seats with about 28 percent of the vote and will form a minority government. Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says a sovereignty vote would wait until 2029 or 2030.
The Parti Quebecois will form Quebec's next government after Monday's election, returning to power for the first time in more than a decade and reopening the question of a sovereignty referendum.
CBC reported that leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon grew the party from three seats in 2022 to 59, short of the 64 needed for a majority. The Montreal Gazette said the party won 46 percent of the seats with 28 percent of the vote in a five-party race. The Coalition Avenir Quebec, which held a large majority after 2022, was wiped off the map, both outlets reported.
In his victory speech in Montreal, St-Pierre Plamondon said a new political cycle was beginning. CBC said he promised to work with other parties and to be direct with Prime Minister Mark Carney. He also addressed English-speaking Quebecers in English.
He said a referendum would be delayed until 2029 or 2030, after the current US presidential term, CBC reported. Minority governments in Quebec have typically lasted less than two years, the same report noted.
Liberals gained seats and the Conservatives elected MNAs for the first time, the Montreal Gazette said. No formal coalition agreement had been announced by Tuesday.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said a new chapter was opening for Quebec.
- He told English-speaking Quebecers he would address them directly and promised transparency with Ottawa.