(Quebec) The former candidate for Quebec solidaire (QS) in Bourassa-Sauvé, Alejandra Zaga Mendez, is the new president of the party.
Mme Zaga Mendez was elected at the QS congress on Sunday. She is an expert in the field of the environment, notably with a doctorate in sustainable development and conservation.
She was the QS candidate in the Bourassa-Sauvé constituency in 2018 and held several positions in the political leadership and the party’s national coordination committee.
Mme Zaga Mendez replaces Nika Deslauriers, who bowed out on Sunday after having served five years as president. Former deputy Amir Khadir paid him a heartfelt tribute.
He recalled QS’s difficult start 15 years ago, pointing out that Mr.me Deslauriers had been at his side to “build the echelons” and wage “all wars”.
Mr. Khadir thanked Mme Deslauriers for his “dedication and self-sacrifice”, which will ultimately help the party, according to him, to “burst” into the National Assembly in 2018.
QS currently has 10 deputies in parliament.
On his Facebook page, Mme Zaga Mendez promised to be a president “on the ground, being the pivot between our militant forces, the party leadership and parliamentary work”.
She is committed to “making our project shine and leading the biggest electoral campaign in our history in 2022” in addition to ensuring that QS will “always be at the front of climate struggles”.
The QS congress continues on Sunday afternoon.