François Legault did everything during the campaign to discourage Quebecers from supporting him, but there was nothing to be done. In 2018, to get rid of the Liberals, they chose the party that most resembled them and they are obviously happy with it.
Of course, the CAQ benefits from the splitting of the opposition, whose effects the current voting system amplifies. This new demonstration of the dysfunction of the system is eloquent, but the extent of the CAQ sweep leaves no doubt about the wish of the voters: let’s continue!
The Legault government initially enjoyed a satisfaction rate of nearly 60%, but it is also clear that each of the other parties was in favor of a project that repelled the majority of voters. They did not want to “break systems”, nor a referendum on independence, nor a dismantling of the welfare state.
The abundant harvest of the CAQ in the regions, while it is reduced to a single seat on the island of Montreal, further widens the gap between the metropolis and the rest of Quebec. The negative remarks of Mr. Legault and Jean Boulet on immigration will unfortunately have contributed to this. Continuing on this path was the last thing to do.
QS received a real cold shower. The good campaign of Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois did not give better results than that of Manon Massé four years ago. Despite his best efforts to be reassuring, QS still hits a glass ceiling. The question is to what extent he will be able to continue the refocusing without the base rebelling.
From the outset, official opposition status seemed out of reach, but QS could hope to increase its presence in the regions. The victory in Maurice-Richard will not console the loss of Rouyn-Noranda, where the defeat of Émilise Lessard-Therrien, who was for a long time the only one to denounce arsenic emissions, is a real heartbreak. The backhand of Mélissa Généreux in Saint-François constitutes another disappointment.
Following the forced withdrawal of their candidate, a good part of QS voters in Camille-Laurin joined the PQ to allow Paul St-Pierre Plamondon to enter the National Assembly. Who knows, this may mark the beginning of a reconciliation in the sovereignist family.
Despite the remarkable campaign of its leader, the PQ will only have elected three deputies, who will have to content themselves with sitting as independents. Even compared to the disastrous result of 2018, the decline is bitter.
Dominique Anglade will remain Leader of the Official Opposition. The PLQ saved the day, but it is now so unrepresentative of the French-speaking majority that its status in the National Assembly will seem almost as crazy as that of the Bloc Québécois when it formed Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in the House of Commons. .
In accordance with the party constitution, Mr.me Anglade will have to submit to a vote of confidence at the next congress. She clearly indicated that she wanted to stay on, and the future seems so uncertain for the PLQ that we may not be scrambling to replace her immediately. She would do well to settle the question of her leadership as soon as possible.
Eric Duhaime, he said he had 10 years in politics, but the next four will not be easy. The window could well close for the PCQ by the next election.
He had said it was better for his supporters’ anger to find an outlet in the National Assembly, but it will now have to find expression elsewhere. This is not good news for anyone.