Bet on the Holy Spirit's fortune
The Quebec Party (PQ) has seen a shift in its leadership, with Paul St-Pierre Plamondon winning the contest to lead the party. This change comes amidst a renewed focus on the issue of sovereignty, with St-Pierre Plamondon promising to hold a referendum in his first term, starting from January 2020.
The PQ's current lead over the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) should be considered with caution, as it is still a year before the election. However, the party's solid lead for the past two years indicates a change in the political landscape of Quebec.
St-Pierre Plamondon's decision to promise an early referendum seems to be a strategic move aimed at addressing the frustration among PQ militants, who have been grappling with 25 years of indecision. The new leader seems to have understood that the promise of an early referendum was a necessary step to succeed Jean-François Lisée.
It is worth noting that the PQ cannot replicate its 44.7% score from the past, but that's no longer necessary to win elections. The anti-referendum vote can now be split among three parties - the PLQ, the Coalition Avenir Québec, and the Parti Conservateur du Québec - instead of being concentrated on one.
The PQ's stance on sovereignty has evolved over the years. St-Pierre Plamondon has forgiven the party for once calling sovereignty a "black hole" that sucks up all progressive proposals. This shift in perspective could help the PQ appeal to a wider audience, with many Quebecers seeing the party more as an ally against Donald Trump, unlike in the past.
However, a return to the "good governor" strategy would be seen as a real betrayal by PQ militants. St-Pierre Plamondon has stated that he cannot renounce holding a referendum in his first term, regardless of poll results. Refusing to fight for a referendum would be perceived as the worst defeat by PQ militants.
The memory of Lucien Bouchard's "winning conditions" and St-Pierre Plamondon's previous stance on postponing the referendum indefinitely could lead to unrest among PQ militants. The new leader will need to navigate these challenges carefully to maintain the support of his party's base while also appealing to a broader audience.
In the Opinion section of this article, diverse voices and ideas are promoted, and the text reflects the author's personal values and position, not necessarily those of Le Devoir. The article does not delve into unrelated topics such as attempts to hide President Trump's bruises or Stephen Colbert's response to Donald Trump's cancellation of his "Late Show". This article focuses on the significant changes within the Quebec Party and the implications of these changes for the political landscape of Quebec.
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