"Total Disintegration of the Coalition Avenir Québec"
In a significant shift in Quebec politics, the Parti Québécois (PQ) has emerged as the main opposition and a formidable challenger to Premier François Legault's Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ). The PQ's recent decisive by-election victory in Arthabaska has boosted its momentum and strengthened its presence in the legislature.
The PQ's candidate, Alex Boissonneault, won over 46% of the vote, defeating both the Conservative leader Éric Duhaime and the CAQ candidate. This marks the PQ’s third consecutive by-election win and increases its seats from three to six, reinforcing its lead in opinion polls.
The CAQ, on the other hand, has seen a dramatic decline in its support. The CAQ candidate fell to a mere 7% in Arthabask, a sharp decline from the CAQ’s 52% share in this riding in 2022. This victory casts doubt on the CAQ's hold on power, with analysts describing the CAQ as in "electoral disarray" and Legault’s leadership style and policy performance facing public disenchantment.
Premier Legault has acknowledged the scale of the defeat, taking "full responsibility," promising to reflect on the party’s direction, meet with his cabinet, and listen to citizens' feedback. An impending cabinet shuffle is expected as part of this reassessment.
The PQ's forward-looking stance includes pushing for a third independence referendum by 2030, making sovereignty a likely key issue in the next provincial election. This contrasts with the CAQ’s "third way" nationalist position that seeks to avoid both federalism and separatism.
Meanwhile, Liberal candidate Chantale Marchand received nearly 9.3% of the vote in the recent election, a notable showing for the Liberal party. The exact details of the recent election, including its location and date, are not yet clear.
In other news, the Gildan president is reportedly secretly building a golf course on the shores of Lake Memphrémagog, a development that may attract attention and interest in the coming months.
[1] Paul Arcand discussed the PQ's third consecutive victory in Tuesday morning's press review. [2] There is a collaboration between La Presse and Cogeco Media. [3] Tuesday, August 12th, is the day I buy a Quebec book, according to a recent topic. [4] Young people show little interest in Quebec culture, according to another recent topic. [5] There is uncertainty at Air Canada due to a possible labor dispute.
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