Quebec Premier François Legault says he’s assured the celebration he co-founded as a 3rd choice to federalism and sovereignty will stay a political power within the province after he’s changed as chief.
He instructed reporters in Quebec Metropolis on Wednesday that the Coalition Avenir Québec stays one of the best celebration to stability the wants of the economic system and shield the French language.
Legault took questions from reporters for the primary time since he introduced his intention to step down as premier and CAQ chief forward of October’s provincial election.
“The CAQ, once you have a look at Article 1…it’s prosperity inside Canada, however whereas looking for extra autonomy to defend our language, defend our values,” he mentioned. “So it’s much more related than ever.”
Legault fashioned the celebration in 2011 as a substitute for the federalist-sovereigntist binary that had dominated the province’s politics for many years, promising a political formation that will battle for higher provincial power whereas eradicating the specter of a referendum.
Since his resignation, analysts have been questioning whether or not the coalition Legault created of former federalists and sovereigntists would maintain collectively with out him, particularly with the poll-leading Parti Québécois threatening a referendum in its first time period, if elected.
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Legault mentioned Wednesday that there’s nonetheless room for sovereigntists in his celebration, so long as they settle for working inside Canada.
“One might be sovereigntist and assume that it’s not the best second, or there isn’t a majority of Quebecers,” he mentioned.
Legault mentioned the Parti Québécois would create financial uncertainty, and the official Opposition Liberals gained’t do sufficient to reverse the decline of French within the Montreal space.
“We want the CAQ to fulfill these two challenges,” he mentioned.
The Coalition Avenir Québec has but to announce the principles of its management race. Whereas no candidate has formally thrown their hat within the ring, Financial system Minister Christine Fréchette, Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette and Environnement Minister Bernard Drainville have all mentioned they’re contemplating a run.
Finance Minister Eric Girard formally bowed out of management competition on Wednesday, however mentioned he deliberate to run for a 3rd time period in October.
Two different high-profile cupboard ministers whose names had circulated as potential management candidates– Municipal Affairs Minister Geneviève Guilbault and Schooling Minister Sonia LeBel — each introduced in current days that they might not run and would go away politics on the finish of the present time period.
Legault mentioned Wednesday {that a} sure variety of political departures are to be anticipated, however that his celebration nonetheless has the strongest group.
“Politics is hard, it requires loads of sacrifices, however once I have a look at the group that continues to be within the CAQ proper now, we have now nothing to envy anybody,” he mentioned. “We now have a really sturdy group and I’m very assured about what’s to come back.”
Legault additionally mentioned he’s not at present planning to prorogue the session of the legislature that opens subsequent month, as a result of he feels its work can proceed regardless of the CAQ management race. He additionally mentioned he wouldn’t endorse anybody within the race to succeed him.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
