The race to switch François Legault as chief of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is starting to take form, with one other senior cupboard minister confirming she won’t enter the competition — and can go away politics altogether.
Training Minister Sonia LeBel introduced Monday she won’t search the CAQ management and can step away from political life on the finish of the present time period.
LeBel, 57, first gained prominence as chief prosecutor on the Charbonneau Fee earlier than coming into provincial politics. She turned a key determine in Legault’s authorities, serving as Treasury Board president and later as schooling minister.
In an announcement, LeBel mentioned she was touched by calls urging her to run however determined in opposition to it after reflection.
“The calls inviting me to enter the race and the various expressions of confidence have deeply moved me,” she mentioned. “After cautious reflection and lengthy conversations with my household, my associates and my colleagues, I’ve come to the conclusion that the time has come for me to withdraw from political life on the finish of the present time period.”
Political scientist Daniel Béland of McGill College mentioned LeBel would have been a critical contender had she chosen to run.
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“She would have been definitely a major determine within the management race if she had determined to run,” Béland mentioned.
LeBel’s announcement comes simply 24 hours after Municipal Affairs Minister Geneviève Guilbault mentioned she won’t run for re-election within the fall, citing a want to spend extra time along with her younger youngsters.
Béland mentioned Guilbault would have confronted vital challenges even when she had pursued the management, pointing to fallout from her testimony on the Gallant Fee into the troubled rollout of the SAAQclic system.
“Even when she had wished to run, there would have been actually main obstacles dealing with her,” he mentioned, including she has reportedly been warned the fee’s ultimate report will likely be damaging.
Whereas nobody has formally entered the race, a number of names are circulating. Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette and Economic system Minister Christine Fréchette have each been selecting up endorsements from CAQ colleagues.
“Simon Jolin-Barrette and Christine Fréchette are the names which can be, I believe, probably the most often talked about proper now,” Béland mentioned.
Different ministers are additionally weighing their choices. Surroundings Minister Bernard Drainville mentioned on social media Monday he’s reflecting on a doable bid, whereas Public Safety Minister Ian Lafrenière mentioned over the weekend he’s additionally contemplating it.
If no early election is known as, the brand new chief would turn out to be premier for just a few months and would inherit a celebration that’s struggling within the polls.
“Turning issues round within the matter of months shouldn’t be simple in politics,” Béland mentioned.
The CAQ says it needs Legault’s successor in place by April and is hoping the brand new chief can spark a political comeback— much like the federal Liberals’ turnaround after Mark Carney changed Justin Trudeau.
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