The leader of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) François Legault believes that the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) no longer has any reason to exist.
This is what he launched on Thursday evening, at the end of the first debate of the electoral campaign, which was broadcast on TVA.
Mr. Legault had, during the debate, declared that the PLQ no longer had the “monopoly of being against sovereignty”.
“I can’t believe it,” responded Parti Québécois (PQ) leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon at a press briefing.
“He said: ‘Not only am I a federalist, but I have stolen the monopoly of action against the separatists from you.’ He says that after repeated failures with the federal government. »
Mr. Legault had just declared, in English, that the Liberals were no longer alone in proposing a project for society within Canada.
“Our party proposes more autonomy within Canada, and I believe that the Liberal Party no longer has a reason to exist because of this,” he said.
Other statements from the CAQ leader raised eyebrows on Thursday. Liberal leader Dominique Anglade maintains that François Legault continues to “fuel the fear of the other” in the immigration file.
“Mr. Legault, each time he talks about immigration, he talks to us about a threat, about Louisianization, he systematically feeds this fear of the other,” she said.
“He thinks like that, he thinks like that, and it’s reflected in his words,” she added.
For his part, Mr. Legault indicated that he expected to be the target of all attacks.
In addition to announcing the death of the PLQ, the leader of the Caquiste shined the spotlight on the plan he considers “unrealistic” of Quebec solidaire (QS) in terms of reducing greenhouse gases.
QS co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois presented himself as the only alternative to the CAQ.
“There are two opposing visions in this election,” he said, accusing Mr. Legault of lacking ambition.
“François Legault’s favorite word is impossible. Every time we propose ambitious projects. He replies that it is impossible. It’s still too hard for François Legault, ”added Mr. Nadeau-Dubois.
For his part, the leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) Éric Duhaime was once again confronted with his unpaid tax bills.
However, the question did not come from his adversaries, but from the moderator Pierre Bruneau, who asked him if he would manage Quebec as he manages his personal finances.
“Nobody is perfect,” Mr. Duhaime insisted.
Thursday’s debate focused on three themes: the environment, quality of life and the economy, then health, family and education, and finally immigration, language and identity.
The caravans restart on Friday. Quebecers will be called to the polls on October 3.