Surprise, the phone rings | The Press

Let’s be honest, although it will be difficult to do while remaining kind. When Marc Tanguay assured in January that “the phone is ringing” at the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ), the most frequent reaction was laughter.

Really, people insist on leading this party?

A few months later, we see that he was not wrong. Five names are circulating internally, and another is still a dream. However, no woman expressed interest.

Charles Milliard, CEO of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec, no longer hides his interest.

He obtained the support of more than 80 members of the youth commission, in which he has already campaigned. Significant support, because those under 25 have a third of the votes in the party.

“He is eloquent, he knows our party, but he is untested. We will see how he does in debate,” underlines an activist who remains neutral.

The same goes for Antoine Tardif. Despite his 34 years, he already has significant experience.

Former advisor to federal deputy Alain Rayes (then conservative), he was elected mayor of Victoriaville without opposition. He is also vice-president of the Fédération québécoise des municipalities, which represents the smallest towns in the region.

As the expression goes, he does not “close the door”, in particular because he asks people to open this door for him and demand that he go through it as soon as his schedule allows it.

Motivated, he met former party leaders. But it hasn’t been tested on a national stage. He never sat in the National Assembly either. He would have little time to master the profession and claim to be ready in 2026 to become Prime Minister of Quebec.

For a ruling party, this situation is unusual. In 2022, Dominique Anglade had the competence and experience to claim to exercise the highest office. But unfortunately for her, the reds’ purgatory was not over.

Karl Blackburn is more seasoned. He was an MP (2003 to 2007), chief organizer and general director of the party.

Originally from Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, he knows the regions and worked for the forestry industry before becoming CEO of the Conseil du patronat.

However, his motivation remains to be verified. The arrival in the race of Charles Milliard could give him pause – activists wonder if these two business lobbyists don’t have too similar profiles.

Frédéric Beauchemin, MP and former head of capital markets at Scotiabank, relaunched his candidacy after the withdrawal of a complaint for psychological harassment against him.

He is banking on the support of former Finance Minister Carlos Leitão.

But the learning curve for his new job is slow, and he has so far generated moderate enthusiasm internally.

Finally, there is Denis Coderre. After twice wasting a lead against Valérie Plante, he has a reputation as a loser.

And he is bitter, as evidenced by his obsession with the mayor of Montreal, whom he still criticizes at every opportunity. Associated with the federal and municipal governments, it has no roots in the PLQ.

To attract attention, he maintains a ridiculous false suspense – he will end it on June 21. He also makes strange statements to get people talking about him. He wants to maintain the Law on secularisma heresy for liberals.

“His age is not a problem. This is his old way of doing politics. He persists in saying things that are false, like his cell phone story while driving,” summarizes another observer who plans to remain neutral.

His live videos from the Camino de Santiago, where he did a video introspection, also leave you speechless. “I don’t want a coronation,” he said, as if the other candidates were considering bowing to him.

The fact remains that no one doubts his ability to sell membership cards, which will be crucial in a leadership race. The best seller could win. He promises to have spaghetti dinners in all 125 ridings, and he will do it. “He knows how to organize a race, he will be a tough opponent,” recalls another activist.

And François-Philippe Champagne? For him, it’s different. He has not expressed interest. These are activists who still dream of him.

However, he was named co-organizer of the next federal campaign. Because of the law of alternation between French and English speakers, everything indicates that he will not be able to succeed Justin Trudeau.

If he wants to try his luck in the PLQ, he will have to make the jump by the fall. Afterwards, he will not have time to organize his campaign. Without being impossible, this decision would be surprising.

For the PLQ, the simple prospect of a race is a joy. But a question remains: who, among these candidates, can claim to be ready to govern Quebec?