Separatist party leads ahead of Quebec election — The Japan Times
In the Canadian province of Quebec, the separatist Parti Québécois (PQ) is leading in polls ahead of the provincial election on October 5. The party, which has been in opposition for more than a decade, promises to hold a referendum on Quebec’s independence after the end of U.S. President Donald Trump’s term, The Japan Times reports.
Distribution of support
According to a Leger poll released on Monday, 30% of voters support the PQ. The Quebec Liberal Party has 26%, while the incumbent Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) has 16%.
Due to the dispersal of votes among several political forces, the PQ could win a majority in the provincial legislature, which has 127 seats. Quebec is a predominantly French-speaking province with a population of about 9 million people.
At the same time, several recent polls indicate that about 30% of voters support the region’s withdrawal from Canada. Le Soleil political commentator Valérie Gaudreau believes that support for the PQ is primarily driven by disappointment with the current provincial government, particularly over the cost of living, rather than a desire for independence.
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PQ leader’s position
PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, known as PSPP, has stated that his party seeks Quebec’s withdrawal from Canada. During the debate, he said that the goal of Quebecers’ struggle is to preserve the French language in a predominantly English-speaking country and create their own state.
At the same time, Plamondon ruled out holding a referendum at least until 2029. He explained that such a decision requires conditions for an informed and calm discussion, and that the debate must not be overshadowed by events in U.S. politics and the actions of an unpredictable U.S. president.
The return of the separatist issue comes amid growing Canadian patriotism in response to Trump’s trade war and annexation threats. Two weeks after the vote in Quebec, a non-binding referendum on leaving Canada is scheduled in the western province of Alberta.
