The separatist Parti Québécois won the Quebec provincial election on Monday, ending 12 years in opposition and reviving the push for independence from Canada. The party secured 59 of 127 seats in the National Assembly, falling short of a majority and forming a minority government under leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. Despite campaigning on a pledge to hold a sovereignty referendum after U.S. President Trump leaves office in 2029, the Parti Québécois won only about 28% of the popular vote, complicating efforts to claim a strong mandate.
In his victory speech, St-Pierre Plamondon framed a referendum as a democratic choice, stating, “It’s up to no one but us, as a people, to determine our national future.” However, he acknowledged the challenges of governing as a minority and suggested seeking support from other pro-independence lawmakers.
The governing Coalition Avenir Québec suffered a dramatic collapse, winning zero seats, leading to the concession by Christine Fréchette, Quebec’s premier. The results arrive amid renewed separatist sentiment, with Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister, facing similar pressures in Alberta ahead of that province’s upcoming referendum vote.
Support for independence remains around 30%, its lowest in decades, raising questions about whether St-Pierre Plamondon can translate electoral gains into a successful sovereignty campaign.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing