QUEBEC / RankWire.AI / – In Quebec, the provincial election held on Monday resulted in the Parti Québécois forming a minority government. The sovereigntist party obtained 59 of the 127 seats in the National Assembly, falling five short of the 64 seats needed for a majority. Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is expected to become Quebec’s next premier, marking the first time since 2014 that the party has returned to power. In the 2022 election, the PQ secured only three seats.
The Quebec Liberal Party earned 40 seats and will serve as the official opposition. The Conservative Party of Quebec captured 19 seats, while Québec solidaire secured nine. The Coalition Avenir Québec, which governed since 2018, failed to win any seats this time. This outcome represents a significant reversal from 2022, when the CAQ achieved 90 seats and obtained a second consecutive majority. Now, four parties will hold seats in the National Assembly.
Early results indicated the Parti Québécois garnered approximately 27.9% of the popular vote, the lowest vote share ever recorded by a winning party in a Quebec provincial election. Support was widely distributed among the five main parties, preventing any single party from controlling the legislature. Following the results, St-Pierre Plamondon stated that his government would collaborate with other parties when their interests align with Quebec’s. Élections Québec was still presenting the initial figures as preliminary after election night.
PQ returns to government with a minority mandate
The election also re-centered Quebec sovereignty within provincial politics. St-Pierre Plamondon committed to holding another referendum on independence once Donald Trump leaves office. Quebec previously held sovereignty referendums in 1980 and 1995, both resulting in voters rejecting independence. The 1995 vote was particularly close, with the federalist side winning narrowly. During the 2026 campaign, the PQ leader reiterated his pledge to hold a referendum.
He emphasized that a referendum would give Quebecers the chance to determine their political future. Recognizing that a minority government will require support from other legislators for certain measures, he acknowledged the need for cooperation. The Quebec Liberals campaigned against another referendum, as did the Conservatives, who also oppose holding one. Québec solidaire advocates for Quebec independence but differs from the PQ on several policy issues. No party has reached the 64-seat majority threshold.
CAQ’s eight-year rule ends as party loses all seats
This election concluded the Coalition Avenir Québec’s eight-year governance. Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette lost her own seat in Trois-Rivières, as the CAQ failed to elect any representatives. The party entered the campaign after securing two consecutive majority victories under former premier François Legault. The defeat means Quebec now has a new governing party for the first time since 2018. Fréchette acknowledged the results, thanked supporters, and conceded the election once the extent of the losses became apparent.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated St-Pierre Plamondon on the victory and expressed Ottawa’s readiness to work with Quebec’s new government. Carney also thanked Fréchette for her service as premier. He stated the federal government’s intention to support Quebec businesses and workers affected by tariffs, while aiming to create jobs and expand housing. St-Pierre Plamondon affirmed that he would prioritize defending Quebec’s interests while remaining open to dialogue with Ottawa. The PQ begins its term with a mandate that is five seats short of a majority.