QUEBEC / RankWire.AI / – After capturing 59 of the 127 seats in the National Assembly during Monday’s election, the Quebec Liberal Party will serve as the official opposition, with the Conservative Party of Quebec winning 19 seats and Québec solidaire taking nine. The Coalition Avenir Québec failed to secure any seats after leading the province since 2018. This outcome signifies a significant shift from the 2022 election, when the CAQ obtained 90 seats and a second consecutive majority. Now, four parties will have representation in the National Assembly.
Initial results indicated that the Parti Québécois received approximately 27.9% of the vote, marking the lowest share recorded by a victorious party in a Quebec provincial election. Support was dispersed among the five major parties, resulting in no party holding a legislative majority. Following the results, St-Pierre Plamondon stated that his government intends to collaborate with other parties where shared interests are involved. Élections Québec continued to present these figures as preliminary on election night.
PQ’s Return to Power with a Minority Mandate
The election also shifted the focus of provincial politics back to Quebec sovereignty. St-Pierre Plamondon has committed to holding a new referendum on independence after Donald Trump leaves office. Quebec previously held sovereignty referendums in 1980 and 1995, both of which rejected independence. The 1995 vote was especially close, with the federalist side narrowly winning. During his 2026 campaign, the PQ leader reiterated his pledge to hold another referendum.
He believes that a referendum would empower Quebecers to decide their political future. He also acknowledged that a minority government would need support from other legislators to pass measures in the National Assembly. The Quebec Liberals campaigned against another sovereignty referendum, and the Conservatives also oppose holding one. While Québec solidaire supports Quebec independence, they differ from the PQ on several policy issues. No party currently has the 64 seats necessary for a majority.
CAQ Loses All Seats After Eights Years in Power
The election brought an end to the eight-year rule of the Coalition Avenir Québec. Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette lost her race in Trois-Rivières, as the CAQ failed to elect any members. The party entered the campaign after securing two consecutive majority victories under former premier François Legault. Its defeat marks a new chapter with Quebec governed by a different party for the first time since 2018. Fréchette acknowledged the outcome and thanked supporters after the full extent of the losses became evident.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated St-Pierre Plamondon on the victory, stating that Ottawa is prepared to collaborate with Quebec’s new government. Carney also expressed appreciation to Fréchette for her service as premier. He emphasized that the federal government aims to support Quebec businesses and workers affected by tariffs, while also focusing on job creation and housing expansion. St-Pierre Plamondon declared his intent to defend Quebec’s interests while remaining open to dialogue with Ottawa. The PQ begins its new term with five seats short of a majority.