Paul St-Pierre Plamondon expects to elect MPs in “much more” than two or three ridings on Oct. 3, but agrees that “it’s not the most likely scenario” for him to become prime minister.
“In light of this morning’s figures”, it is more in the opposition that the Parti Québécois (PQ) could find itself, agreed its leader in a press scrum on Tuesday. “At the same time, there are plenty of examples. Whether [le maire de Québec] Bruno Marchand had given up on anything… It was in the last week that his rise took place,” said Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon.
The most recent Léger national poll, conducted for Quebecor media, suggests a fierce fight for the official opposition. Two points separate the PQ, the Conservative Party of Quebec, the Liberal Party of Quebec and Quebec solidaire. The Coalition avenir Québec is losing its feathers, but maintains a twenty-point lead over its nearest pursuer.
However, since the beginning of the election campaign, which will end next Monday, the PQ team has been making its merry way. At 9% of the voting intentions in the first Léger survey of the campaign, the party is now at 15%.
“We are happy to continue our climb. […] Everything is permitted”, underlined “PSPP”, Tuesday.
If he admits that the poll figures are no more valid than a year ago, when his party collected much lower percentages, the PQ leader expects to collect “much more” than two or three ridings. “Rendered to 15%, we are more than that,” he said.
“We are clearly not marginalized, we are growing, then we are growing steadily and strongly,” he added.
On Monday, Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon denied to reporters that he was only targeting the opposition. To Everybody talks about itSunday, he said he wanted to become “a constructive official opposition” before changing his mind: “Of course I would like that, to be Prime Minister”.
Further details will follow.