(Ottawa) He was once one of his fierce opponents on the Quebec political scene. Today, Gérard Deltell believes that Jean Charest is the one who should become leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. The former premier of Quebec is considering running for the leadership.
Posted at 10:02 p.m.
The Press was able to confirm the news first reported on TVA on Sunday.
“I think more than ever that he is the best person we can have as party leader,” said Deltell in an interview. He recalled that the former prime minister had 28 years of political experience, both on the federal and Quebec scene.
“I have confidence in his ability to rally people,” he said. In fact, I am living proof of it! »
In 2010, the former leader of the Action Démocratique du Québec had accused Mr. Charest of behaving as a “godfather of the Liberal Party” by alluding to the mafia. It was at the time of the Bastarache commission on the appointment of judges and allegations of corruption in the construction industry that would lead to the Charbonneau commission.
“It was about unfortunate remarks, recognized Mr. Deltell. I apologized, first to him, personally, and to the National Assembly. For me, the incident is closed. »
Earlier this week, four Conservative MPs and a senator, including Quebecers Alain Rayes and Dominique Vien, appealed to Jean Charest’s “sense of duty” in an open letter to try to convince him.
The rules of the Conservative Party leadership contest are not known. To date, only MP Pierre Poilievre has announced his intention to succeed Erin O’Toole. The latter was ejected from his post by a majority at the beginning of the month.
Jean Charest was leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party from 1994 to 1998, before becoming leader of the Quebec Liberal Party. He was Premier of Quebec from 2003 to 2012.