5 takeaways from Quebec election as PQ forms minority government

Quebec voters elected the Parti Québécois to form a minority government on Monday, marking a major comeback for the party and raising the prospect of a future sovereignty referendum. The PQ returned to power after winning only three seats in 2022, but it fell short of the 64 seats needed for a majority. The party benefited from voter frustration after eight years of Coalition Avenir Québec rule. PQ Leader Paul StPierre Plamondon has long said he would hold a referendum if elected, and the party may now look for support from Québec solidaire, another sovereigntist party. Together, the two parties won more than 40 per cent of the vote and a majority of seats in the national assembly. The Quebec Liberals finished as official Opposition for the third election in a row and more than doubled their seat count to 40. The Quebec Conservatives also made history by winning a caucus of 19 seats, their first members in the legislature since 1935. The result left Quebec with a fragmented political landscape, as no party won more than 30 per cent of the vote. The PQ led with about 28 per cent, followed by the Liberals at 24 per cent, the Conservatives at 21 per cent, Coalition Avenir Québec at 13 per cent, and Québec solidaire at 12 per cent.