Contest over Influence of the Holy Spirit
The Quebec Parti, led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, has declared that a referendum on independence is no longer an option to be renounced, even if poll results are unfavourable. This stance comes nearly two years after St-Pierre Plamondon promised a referendum in his first term, a promise that has been central to the party's leadership.
The decision to push forward with a referendum, despite potential risks, is a response to the party's militants who view a return to the 'good governance' strategy as a betrayal if the referendum is refused. The Quebec Parti's lead over the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) should be viewed with caution, as it was significantly larger in the 1994 elections, which the PQ won by less than 14,000 votes.
The memory of Lucien Bouchard, a former Quebec Parti leader, and his 'winning conditions' could lead PQ militants to the brink of revolt if the referendum is postponed. Bouchard, who led the party during the 1995 Quebec referendum, has expressed his opposition to a referendum, fearing a third 'No.'
However, the current political landscape is different from that of 1994. Unlike in the past, many Quebecers see the Quebec Parti as an ally against certain political figures, such as Donald Trump, and Mark Carney is not seen as a bogeyman like Jean Chrétien was. Today, there are two possible replacements for the Legault government, unlike in 1994 when the PQ was the only viable alternative to the Liberals.
The anti-referendum vote can now be divided among three parties: the PLQ, the Coalition Avenir Québec, and the Parti Conservateur du Quebec. This division could potentially work in the Quebec Parti's favour, as many Quebecers might appreciate a postponement of the referendum, allowing them to replace the Legault government without aligning with the Liberals.
In his previous attempt, St-Pierre Plamondon had referred to a second term for a referendum, contingent on voter demand and a survey showing support for independence. However, the current leader had previously recommended postponing the referendum indefinitely. It is unclear how the party's position has evolved since then.
Meanwhile, outside of sovereignty politics, there have been developments in other areas. More than a dozen searches were conducted in the Greater Montreal area, Vaudreuil-Dorion, and Markham in relation to a cannabis trafficking network.
Elsewhere, Jimmy Kimmel, a TV host, found himself in hot water following remarks about Charlie Kirk. Kimmel accused the American right of exploiting the assassination of the ultra-conservative influencer politically. This incident serves as a reminder that even in the midst of political debates, it is important to maintain respect and decorum.
In the past, St-Pierre Plamondon had referred to sovereignty as a 'black hole' that sucks up all progressive proposals. Despite this, the Quebec Parti is heading for independence, a decision that reflects the party's commitment to its core values and the will of its militants.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the Quebec Parti navigates these challenges and moves forward with its plans for a referendum.
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