What Happened
The Parti Québécois (PQ) has secured a significant victory in the Chicoutimi by-election, marking its fourth consecutive win in recent months. Candidate Marie-Karlynn Laflamme triumphed over Conservative Party of Quebec’s Catherine Morissette by a margin of nearly 3,000 votes, as reported by multiple sources. This victory comes less than eight months before the upcoming general election in Quebec.
Why It Matters
The win is particularly noteworthy as it allows the PQ to reclaim a riding that was previously lost to the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in 2018. The seat became vacant following the resignation of CAQ member Andrée Laforest, who transitioned to municipal politics. With this victory, the PQ now holds seven seats in the National Assembly, a significant increase from just three following the 2022 general election.
What’s Next
As the PQ gains momentum ahead of the provincial election, party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has indicated plans for a sovereignty referendum by 2030, should he become premier. The CAQ is currently facing a leadership transition, with Premier François Legault announcing his departure, adding further uncertainty to the political landscape in Quebec.
