Secessionist party wins Quebec election in Canada

The Parti Quebecois (PQ) has won the most seats in Quebec's provincial election, positioning itself to form the next government. Party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has pledged to hold a third referendum on Quebec's independence from Canada during his first term, potentially after January 2029. This victory marks a significant comeback for the PQ, which previously governed from 2012 to 2014 and won only three seats in the 2022 election. The result ends eight years of rule by the Coalition Avenir Quebec, a nationalist party opposed to independence. Experts suggest the PQ's win reflects Quebec's divided multiparty system rather than a surge in secessionist sentiment, with support for independence remaining around 30 percent.

The Parti Québécois has been projected to win the Quebec election, securing a minority government. The party has vowed to hold an independence referendum in the future. The incumbent Coalition Avenir Québec, whose platform focused on safeguarding Quebec's identity and language, lost significant support, and its leader, François Legault, was replaced by outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette, who was unsuccessful in her bid for re-election. The Quebec Liberal Party secured the second-most seats, and the Quebec Conservative Party gained seats. Prime Minister Carney congratulated the Parti Québécois leader and pledged cooperation, despite recent dips in his popularity in Quebec following US tariffs that have impacted the province.

Quebec is poised to elect the Parti Québécois (PQ) to power for the first time in over a decade, according to polls. The PQ, led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, has promised to hold an independence referendum by 2028. While a majority of Quebecers do not support independence, St-Pierre Plamondon's popularity stems from his focus on identity issues and stricter immigration policies. The PQ's potential return to power could reignite tensions between Quebec and the federal government over language and identity. The party's resurgence is also attributed to a split in the right-leaning nationalist vote. Despite potential electoral success, the PQ may not secure a majority government.