François Legault created the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in 2011 and has led the party ever since. In a significant political shift, Legault stepped down as Premier of Quebec in January 2026, leading to a leadership race that culminated in the appointment of Christine Fréchette as the new leader of the CAQ.
Fréchette, a former Parti Québécois staffer and CAQ member of the national assembly for Sanguinet since 2022, will be sworn in as Quebec’s premier following her victory in the leadership contest. She was the only candidate to focus her campaign on economic issues, particularly shale gas and hydraulic fracturing.
In the leadership race, which saw 15,800 members casting their votes, Fréchette faced off against Bernard Drainville, who positioned himself as a defender of Quebec’s identity and advocated for stricter immigration policies. Both candidates were the only contenders in a race that highlighted differing visions for the party’s future.
Upon her election, Fréchette expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am so happy and proud that you put your trust in me.” She emphasized the need for a new kind of leadership, saying, “Today we’re moving on to a new step. You voted for a new generation.” Fréchette also promised to deliver a government that would prioritize the needs of the citizens, asserting, “You deserve a government that will make your life easier.”
As the CAQ currently polls at just nine percent of the vote, analysts are watching closely to see how Fréchette’s leadership will impact the party’s prospects in the upcoming provincial election. Poll aggregator Qc125 predicts that the CAQ may win zero seats in the next election, raising questions about the party’s future direction.
Jean-Marc Léger, a political analyst, noted the potential implications of the leadership change, stating, “What will happen in the CAQ will have a lot of impact on the provincial election and of course whether the referendum follows that election.”
The leadership transition comes at a critical time for the CAQ, as it seeks to regain support and redefine its platform in light of recent polling challenges. Observers are keen to see how Fréchette’s focus on economic issues will resonate with voters and whether it can help the party recover from its current standing.
