On Monday, Quebec’s provincial election saw the Parti Québécois (PQ) secure a decisive victory, adding 56 seats to its caucus and more than doubling its vote share compared with the 2022 contest. The win marks the party’s first return to power in 14 years.
Despite the impressive gains, the PQ fell five seats short of an outright majority, leaving it without the ability to govern alone. The shortfall means that any unilateral move to hold a referendum on Quebec’s independence would be difficult to achieve.
The party’s platform includes a pledge to organise a referendum on independence after Donald Trump leaves office in 2028. With the current seat count, the PQ would need support from other parties to bring that promise to fruition.
The election took place against the backdrop of a bruising trade war between Canada and the United States, with tensions heightened under the Trump administration. The dispute has added complexity to the province’s political landscape.
While the PQ’s success is a milestone for Quebec’s sovereigntist movement, it does not automatically threaten Canadian unity. The party will still need to negotiate with other parties to form a governing coalition.
Quebec is Canada’s largest French‑speaking province and has a long history of debates over its constitutional status and relationship with the rest of the country.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>