François Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) will form the next majority government in Quebec. This historic election marks a first victory for the party and a stunning defeat for the Liberals.
“I am very touched by your trust,” said Legault on Twitter. “My team and I cannot wait to get to work for you.”
The CAQ, which has positioned itself as centre-right of the spectrum, is also the first new party to take power in the province since 1976.
The party held a commanding lead soon after the polls closed, with the incumbent Liberals in second place and the Parti Québécois (PQ) in third.
The province’s outgoing premier, Philippe Couillard, said he had spoken to Legault to congratulate him. In a speech at party headquarters, the Liberal leader said he would take a few days to consider his future in politics.
“I am not bitter — I am proud,” he said.
Jean-François Lisée, the head of the PQ, has lost his Montreal riding of Rosemont.
The CAQ was leading in more than 70 ridings — well above the 63 seats required for a majority. The Liberals were leading in about 32 ridings.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has congratulated the CAQ for its majority win in Monday’s provincial election.
“I look forward to working with Premier Legault to make Quebec, a province we are all proud of, an even better place to live,” he said.
Legault, a former Parti Québécois (PQ) cabinet minister, founded the party in 2011 as a nationalist third-way between the sovereignist PQ and the federalist Liberals.
Over the 39-day election campaign, Legault promised to usher in an era of change. He stood firm on his immigration proposals in the wake of criticism from his opponents and voters alike.
Legault advocated to decrease the number of immigrants coming to Quebec from 50,000 to 40,000. His proposal includes implementing controversial values and language tests for newcomers after three years.
Despite being a new party, the CAQ has a core of experienced MNAs after having won 19 seats in 2012 and 22 seats in 2014.
