Former senator and editorialist André Pratte has “definitely decided” not to be a candidate in the race for leadership of the Liberal Party of Quebec.
At the end of October, Mr. Pratte publicly declared that he had “no intention” of being in the running. Two sources well-versed in his thinking, however, underlined Duty that he was still thinking about making the jump.
Mr. Pratte confirmed on Tuesday that this reflection had taken place. “After a few days of reflection and consultations, I have definitively decided not to be a candidate for leadership of the PLQ,” he wrote in a statement that he sent to the Duty. “Quite simply, it is obvious that despite the encouragement of some activists, I do not have the skills, talent and resilience necessary for this position,” he continued.
On October 24, the former editorialist of The Press had written on the social network According to our information, Mr. Pratte was indeed in reflection, as evidenced by the statement sent on Tuesday.
In an interview with Duty, liberal activist Ronald Poupart confirmed the information. “He’s thinking, he told me,” said the man who has been involved in the PLQ since 1959. “He said: ‘Ronald, I had never thought about this option, but I have to, because of people who call me, to think about it.” »
So far, only MP Frédéric Beauchemin has expressed interest in the PLQ leadership race. MP Monsef Derraji, who renounced it, said he could ultimately be a candidate for the post if an insufficient number of candidates come forward. His colleagues André Fortin and Marwah Rizqy announced that they would not be in the race. Federal Minister François-Philippe Champagne and the current mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, did the same.