Quebec’s political scene is undergoing changes with the unexpected resignation of Premier François Legault after over seven years in office. Legault, the founder of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in 2011, cited diminishing support and a call for change among Quebec residents as reasons for his decision to step down. He will continue his duties until the CAQ selects a new leader, with the upcoming provincial election set for October 5.
Recent polls indicate that the Parti Québécois (PQ) is leading, proposing a sovereignty referendum in the near future. Meanwhile, both the CAQ and the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) are facing internal challenges as they gear up to select new leaders. Despite the ongoing leadership selection process, the Quebec Liberals are polling higher than the CAQ.
Québec Solidaire (QS) is struggling in the polls, with co-spokespeople Ruba Ghazal and Sol Zanetti at the helm. The current status of Quebec’s political parties reflects a dynamic landscape.
Parti Québécois (PQ) leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon views Legault’s resignation as a signal for governmental change and an independent Quebec. The PQ, currently holding six seats, has seen an uptick in support for independence, particularly among younger Quebecers. St-Pierre Plamondon criticizes Legault’s approach of prioritizing Quebec’s interests without advocating for independence, emphasizing the need for a clear stance on independence versus the status quo.
Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) and Legault’s popularity have declined, with a recent Pallas Data poll indicating only 10% of voting intentions in Quebec. The CAQ secured 90 National Assembly seats in the 2022 election, but the number has decreased to 79.
The CAQ aims to select a new leader by mid-April 2026, with potential candidates like Finance Minister Eric Girard and Christine Fréchette, Quebec’s Minister of Economy, Innovation, and Energy, considering leadership bids.
The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) is in a leadership transition following the resignation of Pablo Rodriguez amid a pay-for-votes scandal. Marc Tanguay is serving as the interim leader, with candidates like Charles Milliard and Mario Roy vying for the leadership position.
Québec Solidaire (QS) is facing a decline in support, with predictions of seat losses in the upcoming election. The party’s current focus on feminism, independence, environmentalism, and workers’ rights under Ghazal and Zanetti’s leadership faces challenges as key figures like Manon Massé step back from politics.