Premier François Legault questioned the election of PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon during question period at the Salon Bleu on Tuesday.
“If tomorrow morning there was an election in Camille-Laurin without the Parti Québécois (PQ) flyer being stolen, would the member for Camille-Laurin be the member who is here before us today? »
The solidarity candidate, Marie-Eve Rancourt, was excluded from the race in this riding after being filmed stealing a PQ leaflet. Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon won this seat 2,800 votes ahead of CAQ candidate Richard Campeau.
François Legault was stung by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s question: “Can the Prime Minister acknowledge that the 2022 election, particularly in Quebec and Chaudière-Appalaches, was made on the basis of misrepresentations? »
The PQ leader was referring to the CAQ’s retreat on the third link, a promise that the party hammered home in the previous election.
PQ MP Pascal Bérubé came to the defense of his leader. “The member for Camille-Laurin was elected correctly, recognized by his voters. He sits in this House with full legitimacy. We can’t question that,” he said.
The government parliamentary leader, Simon Jolin-Barrette, also joined the fray. “From the moment the member for Camille-Laurin makes the comments he makes in the House, he cannot think of not also receiving attacks. Let him show a little respect, especially for the Prime Minister, ”he retorted.
“A personal attack of incredible baseness”
On Twitter, Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon denounced “a personal attack of incredible baseness” on the part of the Prime Minister.
“This attempt to diminish me will not prevent me from doing my job,” he wrote.
The other parties gave their support to the PQ leader.
“The remarks made by François Legault in the Blue Room with regard to the legitimacy of the election of the leader of the Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, are unworthy. The prime minister plays petty politics to avoid answering questions,” wrote interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay.
“The Prime Minister descended very low this afternoon by attacking the legitimacy of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. It is unworthy of his position. Instead of attacking everyone, make them accountable, ”tweeted the solidarity parliamentary leader, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
The third link gave rise to heated exchanges between the government and the opposition parties during question period.