According to incomplete results, Parti Québécois won Quebec’s election, returning to power in the province for the first time in 12 years, The New York Times reports. The party won 59 of 127 seats in the Quebec legislature, but fell short of a majority.
In his victory speech, Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon described a referendum on leaving Canada as an opportunity to “decide our own future” and “an act of democracy”. He added that he would like to hold the vote “hopefully, with the help” of other lawmakers who support independence.
According to the newspaper, Plamondon built his campaign on a promise to hold a referendum after Donald Trump leaves office in 2029 and the economy stabilizes. At the same time, he received about 28% of the vote, which leaves him with a weak mandate and could complicate the work of a minority government over a full four-year term.
The governing Coalition Avenir Québec, led by Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette, won no seats, and Fréchette conceded defeat. In the election, the Quebec Liberal Party finished second, the Conservative Party of Quebec third, followed by the left-wing separatist Québec Solidaire; Coalition Avenir Québec came last.
Support for Quebec independence is currently around 30% and is at a decades-low. During the campaign, voters were more concerned about rising living costs, problems in the healthcare system, a shortage of affordable housing, and Canada’s trade war with the U.S.
Parti Québécois has already led the province through two unsuccessful independence referendums — in 1980 and 1995. Now the party is returning to this issue again, but this time with a minority government and without a parliamentary majority.
