The Parti Québécois is set to form Quebec’s next government, marking its return to power after more than a decade and putting the possibility of another referendum on Quebec independence back on the political agenda.
PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, however, failed to secure the 64 seats needed for the majority government he had sought. Instead, he will lead a minority government and will need support from opposition parties to advance key parts of his agenda.
Among the biggest challenges will be delivering on his pledge to hold a referendum on Quebec sovereignty during his first mandate. St-Pierre Plamondon has said such a vote would take place after U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office in 2029.
Without a majority in the National Assembly, the PQ will have to rely on opposition support to remain in power long enough to pursue that commitment.
The minority result also raises the possibility that Quebec could return to the polls before 2029. The province’s last minority government, also led by the Parti Québécois following the 2012 election, survived for only 19 months before another election was called.
The election also brought gains for the Quebec Liberals, while the Conservatives secured their first elected members of the National Assembly.
Despite capturing only about 28 per cent of the popular vote, the Parti Québécois won approximately 46 per cent of the seats, enough to emerge as the largest party in the National Assembly and form the next government.
St-Pierre Plamondon celebrated the victory with supporters Monday night, beginning a new chapter for the sovereigntist party as it prepares to govern Quebec under the constraints of a minority legislature.
