(Ottawa) Jean Charest tries to minimize the impact of the remarkable exit of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who on Monday affixed his stamp of approval to the candidacy of Pierre Poilievre.
Posted at 10:47 a.m.
The former premier of Quebec reacted late in the evening on Monday to the announcement of this predictable, but anything but trivial support – especially since during the last two leadership races of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) , Stephen Harper had not publicly chosen a favorite.
“Mr. Harper made a personal choice. Mr. Harper and his supporters will always be welcome in the CCP,” reads the brief written statement posted on social media hours after the exit of the former Prime Minister of Canada, with whom Jean Charest more often than not. otherwise been at loggerheads.
It contradicts Stephen Harper’s postulate in his video: he, and not Pierre Poilievre, has the best chance of winning the next election, with a majority of seats.
“This leadership race is about the future, and the choice activists will have to make is clear: either lose more constituencies or build momentum across the country that will win a majority government,” says Jean Charest.
In conservative circles, many believe that Stephen Harper’s support has just sealed the fate of the race, in which Pierre Poilievre was already widely considered the leader. This is also what several soundings tend to demonstrate.
The former premier of Quebec believes he is best placed to rally the troops. He repeated it, citing the past accomplishments of Stephen Harper, who has generally kept a low profile since being beaten by Justin Trudeau in 2015.
“Stephen Harper has already succeeded in uniting the Conservative Party of Canada. As leader of the PCC, I undertake to do the same,” said Jean Charest.
The next leader of the Conservative Party will be known on September 10. The results will be announced in Ottawa.