(Quebec) The leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ), Éric Duhaime, says he expects to obtain a “correct” score in the confidence vote he will undergo at the end of the week.
The conservatives will meet in congress on Saturday and Sunday, in Lévis, to debate various proposals relating to energy, the economy and health, in particular.
At a press conference in Quebec on Friday, Mr. Duhaime said he did not expect a stratospheric result like that obtained in May by CAQ leader François Legault: 98.6%.
Two months earlier, the leader of the Parti Québécois (PQ), Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, had also reached 98.5%.
“I don’t expect a score like that, quite honestly. There are more severe people and they have the right, that’s very correct. I expect a decent score,” Mr. Duhaime said.
He called conservative activists “rebellious” and “anything but docile and obedient.”
“I love the party for that!” That leads to debates. I don’t expect a François Legault-style coronation, where it’s the party of one man. »
Éric Duhaime acknowledged that the results of the last electoral campaign had created disappointment and discontent among the conservatives. The PCQ did not elect any candidate.
If an election were held today, the PCQ would garner 12% of support, according to a recent Léger poll.
“Yes, people would like growth to go faster, and I am one of them. But we must also look at the progress we have made, argued Mr. Duhaime. At the end of the week, it will be an opportunity to give ourselves a pat on the back. »
The proof, according to him, that things are going well is that several candidates are seeking the presidency of the party. “It testifies to a bubbling, it testifies […] that it is a militant party,” he said.
Concerning the vote of confidence, Mr. Duhaime refused to indicate what in his eyes would be the minimum acceptable score to remain in office.
In 2005, Bernard Landry slammed the door of the PQ, humiliated by a score of 76%.