With less than 36 hours to go until election day, Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon wants to turn the “wave of sympathy” he felt throughout the campaign into votes. “Judge us on merit”, he launched to the undecided, in front of several hundred activists at the last campaign rally of his formation.
At the end of an evening punctuated by musical performances at the Théâtre Paradoxe, “PSPP” spoke directly to voters who have still not made a choice, reminding them that “the door is open”.
“We are asking you to judge us on merit, on the merit of our campaign, on the merit of our sincerity,” said Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon in front of a crowd strewn with Quebec flags. “Judge us on merit for the sake of our democracy; judge us on merit for the sake of democracy. »
The PQ leader is worried about a scenario “where the CAQ [Coalition avenir Québec] would get 30 and some [points de] percentage and would end up with 90 — maybe more — deputies”. “However, the opposition parties have demonstrated their relevance during this campaign,” he argued.
The rally, the most important of the PQ campaign, was an opportunity for artists to show their support for Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s campaign. “I have the impression that you are catching up with the world and it feels good to see you go”, launched the singer-songwriter Alexandre Belliard, before singing his song “Falardeau”: “ by dint of courage, by dint of courage, a country, a country”. A few moments later, it was the turn of artist Daniel Boucher—who had officially supported the party during the campaign—to sing to a conquered audience.
Also present in the crowd, former Prime Minister Pauline Marois hailed the “revelation of this election campaign”, Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon. “I want to say thank you for reviving hope. Thank you for not having resigned, for not having forgotten that Quebec will continue on the road that will allow it to be truly master of its destiny, ”she said in a speech.
To save French
Following a CAQ mandate marked according to PSPP by a “decline […] marked and […] quick French,” it was appropriate for the leader to run in a Montreal riding, he said.
“If it is in Montreal that the important decisions will be made over the next few years for the future of French, if Montreal really is a part of Quebec in its own right and if the national destiny of Quebecers passes through Montreal, […] very good. The leader of the Parti Québécois will present himself in Montreal and he will win, ”he proclaimed in front of frenzied supporters.
At the beginning of the last sprint, the PQ leader once again invited Quebecers to support “the only party to vigorously support the independence project”. “There is a whole party at the Parti Québécois,” he said.
The PQ had started the day on Saturday in Quebec before heading to Trois-Rivières. In his hometown, the PQ leader called on PQ activists to “convince the undecided”, as Prime Minister Jacques Parizeau asked in 1995, but also his predecessor Jean-François Lisée.
Sunday, the caravan begins the last blitz of the campaign, with a plane trip to Gaspé, Sept-Îles, then Jonquière. Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon will be in Montreal on Monday to vote and take part in his party’s election night in Boucherville.