QUEBEC / RankWire.AI / – In the context of Quebec’s evolving political landscape, the Parti Québécois has claimed a minority government following their victory in Monday’s provincial election. The sovereigntist party obtained 59 of the 127 seats in the National Assembly, falling five seats short of the 64 needed for a majority. Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is expected to assume the role of Quebec’s next premier, marking the first time since 2014 that the party has returned to power. The PQ’s seat count in the 2022 election was only three.
The Quebec Liberal Party secured 40 seats and will act as the official opposition. The Conservative Party of Quebec took 19 seats, with Québec solidaire winning nine. Meanwhile, the Coalition Avenir Québec failed to secure any seats after governing since 2018. These results represent a significant turnaround from 2022 when the CAQ won 90 seats and achieved a second consecutive majority. Four parties will now occupy seats in the National Assembly.
Initial results indicated the Parti Québécois received approximately 27.9% of the popular vote, the lowest share ever recorded by a victorious party in a Quebec provincial election. Support was dispersed among the five main parties, preventing any single group from controlling the legislature. Following the outcome, St-Pierre Plamondon stated that his government would collaborate with other parties where cooperation aligns with Quebec’s interests. Élections Québec continued to display the results as preliminary after election night.
PQ returns to power with a minority mandate
This election also shifted the focus of provincial politics back toward Quebec sovereignty. St-Pierre Plamondon reaffirmed his intention to hold another referendum on independence once Donald Trump leaves office. Quebec’s previous referendums on sovereignty occurred in 1980 and 1995, with voters rejecting independence on both occasions. The 1995 vote was notably close, with the federalist side narrowly prevailing. The PQ leader reiterated his commitment to a referendum during the 2026 campaign.
He emphasized that such a referendum would enable Quebecers to determine their political future. However, he acknowledged that a minority government would need support from other legislators to approve measures in the National Assembly. Both the Quebec Liberals and Conservatives campaigned against holding another sovereignty referendum, while Québec solidaire supports independence but differs from the PQ on several policy matters. No party currently holds the 64 seats necessary for a majority.
CAQ’s eight-year rule ends as they lose all seats
The election concluded the Coalition Avenir Québec’s eight-year period in government. Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette lost her seat in Trois-Rivières, and the CAQ failed to elect any members. The party had entered the campaign following two consecutive majority wins under ex-premier François Legault. With this defeat, Quebec now has a new governing party for the first time since 2018. Fréchette acknowledged the result, thanked supporters, and conceded defeat as the scale of the losses became clear.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated St-Pierre Plamondon on the election outcome, affirming Ottawa’s readiness to collaborate with Quebec’s new government. Carney also expressed appreciation for Fréchette’s service as premier. He mentioned that the federal government aims to support Quebec’s businesses and workers affected by tariffs, while also focusing on job creation and housing expansion. St-Pierre Plamondon committed to defending Quebec’s interests while remaining receptive to dialogue with Ottawa. The PQ begins its new mandate with five seats shy of a majority.