The controversy surrounding the National Day has highlighted the fratricidal war between Québec solidaire and the Parti Québécois. But Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois would perhaps benefit from agreeing in the name of sovereignty, democracy or to dislodge the CAQ.
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“If we really believe [au mode scrutin] proportional, I do not see why the political parties are unable to conceive electoral agreements ”, estimates the former united deputy Amir Khadir.
A bit like a ceasefire or a non-aggression pact: “You don’t bother me here, I won’t bother you there. This means that in certain counties, one of the two parties does not present anyone against the other”, insists the microbiologist who is also a political columnist at The Jousting.
For the past week, the traditional Plains of Abraham show has been the scene of controversy. The troops of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon refuse to participate because of the choice of the artist-host, Émile Bilodeau, associated with Québec solidaire and who had harsh remarks with regard to the PQ.
Amir Khadir considers the reaction of the PQ unfortunate. That said, he is convinced that an electoral alliance between the two political parties is desirable.
“Quebec’s independence will be achieved with everyone, or it will never be achieved. In this everyone, there are all these newcomers and QS has already shown, through the support given to it by lots of people from various cultural backgrounds, that the potential lies there, and if we join forces, it is possible”.
The péquisto-solidarity agreement could also be done in a progressive perspective, since the two are in the same boat on the subject of the housing crisis or the privatization of the health system. Or simply democratic, since the reform of the voting system will not happen.
And an electoral pact does not mean a political rapprochement, in particular on identity issues such as secularism and immigration, underlines in broad strokes the former deputy, for the benefit of solidarity activists.
But he knows that there is reluctance in his camp. An attempt at rapprochement in 2017 between the two parties failed. Amir Khadir had approached Véronique Hivon to present his proposal to the PQ. “But in my party, there was a robbery. The people of my party were not ready”.
The PQ, a coalition
Historian Éric Bédard recalls that the PQ was initially a coalition of dissidents from the Rally for National Independence (RIN), trade unionists, leftist Catholics and former liberals.
Besides the personality of René Lévesque, it was the real possibility of taking power and holding a referendum that allowed the cement to hold. “It silenced dissent.”
The professor illustrates the sovereigntist movement as a two-legged being that needs to coordinate in order to move forward. “But the two legs are not coordinated,” says Éric Bédard. Some accuse others of being racist and xenophobic, others accuse them of not being true separatists.
However, in history, there are examples of successful electoral alliances, think of the one that preceded the birth of the Union Nationale. In France, communists and socialists have in the past kept their common identities, but concocted a common program to apply once in power.
“If there was this kind of common program, it could be an extremely important political force. But for that, there must be good faith and political will”. And the more the attacks between political parties are acerbic, the more they leave traces.
“Completely impossible!”
A PQ MP for 42 years, François Gendron for his part considers an alliance between the PQ and QS “completely impossible”. He takes as proof the failed attempt at rapprochement in 2017.
“No, it’s not possible with QS”, he launches, with conviction. The former minister questions the sovereignist allegiance of many solidarity.
Moreover, François Gendron supports the decision of PSPP not to participate in the spectacle of Saint-Jean because of the presence of Émile Bilodeau, who has already wished the death of the PQ.
What they said:
“The reform of the voting system will not happen. So why not try to imagine ways to achieve proportional representation outside the ballot box […] in terms of an electoral agreement, so as not to harm each other”
– Solidarity ex-MP Amir Khadir
“We agree on the destination, but we don’t agree on the road to get there, it’s sad to see and it plays into the hands of those who have always been against sovereignty”
– Historian and professor Éric Bédard
“An electoral agreement with Québec solidaire is not an option”
– Former PQ MP François Gendron