The Parti Québécois wanted to make a show of force two days before the election in order to motivate the troops. About 700 people gathered at the Paradoxe theater in Montreal to hear the leader make a heartfelt call for a vote and independence for Quebec.
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Paul St-Pierre Plamondon believes there is a wave of sympathy for him. The challenge now will be to motivate voters to go to the polls, he believes.
This is what he tried to do on Saturday evening, raised by his activists.
“There is something emotional going on,” said the PQ leader, cheered by people who chanted “we want a country.”
“Fate is calling us. There are many of you, more and more of us,” said Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. “The destiny is to make Quebec a country.”
For several days, the leader has said that there is a wave of sympathy for his formation, due to the positive campaign he has led, he says. “Now, the challenge is to transform this wave of sympathy into results,” said Paul St-Pierre Plamondon during the day on Saturday. The latter hopes to convince the undecided.
“People who love Quebec address all Quebecers with respect and intelligence,” he said.
Seconded by Ms. Marois
Former Prime Minister Pauline Marois also made a speech after welcoming the PQ leader. “Congratulations on the revelation of this campaign! Our leader, Paul St-Pierre,” said the former head of training. “An inspiring leader who embodies a new generation (…) with consistency and clarity.”
Ms. Marois inflamed the crowd with a pro-independence speech and a call for a vote.
“Until Monday evening, we have to roll up our sleeves to tell Quebecers that we will create a free society open to the world (…) Yes, we want a country,” she said, then doing a “solemn appeal” to his own generation.
“There is a big project that we have not succeeded in and that is sovereignty.”
Gilles Duceppe and Jean-François Lisée also took part in the evening.
Liberal Territory
The PQ celebration took place in Liberal territory. The political party chose the riding of Sainte-Henri-Sainte-Anne to hold its big rally to conclude this campaign. This is the riding where the leader of the Liberal Party, Dominique Anglade, is running. Thus, the formation broke a Quebec political tradition which asks the leader not to campaign in a riding coveted by another party leader. The PQ claims to have asked permission from Ms. Anglade before holding its rally there.
The chef recalled that he wanted to present himself in Montreal. A symbolic, due to the decline of French on the Island. He maintains that he needs Montreal in order to achieve independence and ensure the survival of French. He also chose the riding of Camille-Laurin for this reason.
“The chef is going to show up in Montreal and he’s going to win,” he affirmed with conviction, to thunderous applause.
Sunday, for the last day of the campaign, the PQ leader flies to Gaspé, Sept-Îles and Jonquière. He will be back in Montreal at the end of the day.