"Eric Duhaime's potential defeat could hint at an amusing trend for future elections"
In the Arthabaska-L'Érable by-election, held in the Centre-du-Québec region, the Parti Québécois (PQ) candidate, Alex Boissonneault, secured a decisive victory with 46.37% of the vote, marking a significant setback for François Legault and his Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ).
The CAQ's share of the vote plummeted to just 7%, a dramatic drop from the 52% they previously held in the district. This loss marks the third consecutive by-election win for the PQ, signaling a resurgence of the sovereigntist party and a growing momentum against Legault's government ahead of the 2026 provincial election.
The PQ's victory in a riding held by the CAQ since 2012 represents not only a symbolic but also a strategic blow to Legault, highlighting public dissatisfaction and posing increased challenges for the CAQ's re-election hopes.
The CAQ party has not deployed much effort in the by-election, suggesting that their message may no longer be resonating with the public. Meanwhile, the PQ's renewed strength under Paul St-Pierre Plamondon positions it as a leading alternative to the current government, especially among younger voters who appear increasingly enthusiastic about Quebec sovereignty.
Eric Duhaime, the Conservative Party leader, is among the ten candidates running in this by-election, aiming to give a voice to Quebec Conservatives. The specific reasons for his desire to win the by-election are not detailed.
The by-election has undermined CAQ's standing and bolstered the PQ's position, foreshadowing a more competitive political landscape for Legault and his party in the upcoming general election. Some voters may send a message to Legault and the CAQ by choosing a different candidate, as Legault did not return to the area after presenting his candidate.
The exact nature of the "strange signal" that a loss by Duhaime could send for the next election is not specified. Paul Arcand commented on the by-election in Monday's press review. Advance voting in the by-election had a 26% participation rate last weekend, despite the summer period.
The CAQ has chosen Keven Brasseur, the former president of the local chamber of commerce, as its candidate for the by-election. If Duhaime loses the by-election, it could be a second defeat for him, but it would not necessarily be the end of the world. Duhaime represents hundreds of thousands of people who voted for him and his party and are not currently represented in the National Assembly.
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The CAQ's defeat in the Arthabaska-L'Érable by-election, a general news event, has revealed a shift in politics towards the Parti Québécois, as indicated by their policy-and-legislation wins and growing momentum. The CAQ's waning influence in policy-and-legislation is highlighted by their plummeting vote share, posing significant challenges for their re-election in the 2026 provincial election.
The CAQ party's reduced effort in the by-election suggests their message may no longer be resonating with the public, while the PQ's resurgence, under the leadership of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, positions it as a leading alternative, particularly among younger voters with a growing interest in Quebec sovereignty. This struggle for public support in policy-and-legislation is a key aspect of current politics.
