QUEBEC / RankWire.AI / – Amidst a changing political landscape in Quebec, the provincial election concluded with the Parti Québécois securing 59 seats, enabling it to form a minority government. Although falling five seats short of the 64 needed for a majority in the 127-member National Assembly, this result marks a significant comeback for the party, which last held power in 2014. Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is poised to become Quebec’s next premier. The election outcome signifies the first time since 2014 that the Parti Québécois has returned to government, following its poor showing of only three seats in 2022.
The Quebec Liberal Party finished in second place with 40 seats, positioning itself as the official opposition. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party of Quebec took home 19 seats, and Québec solidaire earned nine. The Coalition Avenir Québec, after eight years in power, failed to win a single seat in this election. This outcome marks a dramatic shift from the 2022 election, where the CAQ secured 90 seats. The new legislative assembly will feature four parties, none of which has enough seats to govern independently.
Initial estimates indicated the Parti Québécois garnered approximately 27.9% of the popular vote. This percentage was sufficient to give the party the largest caucus, despite support being distributed among several major parties. The Liberals, Conservatives, CAQ, and Québec solidaire each attracted sizable shares of the vote. Élections Québec continued to classify these election-night figures as preliminary, pending the completion of the official count. The distribution of seats now means that the incoming government will rely on support from other parties to pass legislation requiring a majority.
Parti Québécois regains influence without an outright majority
This election also revived Quebec sovereignty as a central issue in provincial politics. St-Pierre Plamondon has committed to holding another referendum on independence once Donald Trump leaves office. Quebec voters previously rejected sovereignty in referendums in 1980 and 1995, with the latter narrowly favoring federalism. Throughout the 2026 campaign, the Parti Québécois consistently prioritized independence as a core goal, while also addressing broader provincial concerns.
Forming a minority government will necessitate collaboration within the National Assembly, especially on confidence votes and legislation. During the campaign, the Quebec Liberals opposed holding another sovereignty referendum, and the Conservatives also rejected the idea of a new vote on independence. Québec solidaire supports Quebec sovereignty but differs from the Parti Québécois on several policy issues. While the PQ holds the largest bloc with 59 seats, it does not possess full control, leaving opposition parties with significant influence on legislative decisions.
CAQ’s majority ends after two consecutive mandates
This election concluded the Coalition Avenir Québec’s reign, which began with its victory in 2018. Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette lost her race in Trois-Rivières, and the party failed to elect any representatives. The CAQ had previously secured two majority governments before suffering this defeat in 2026. The collapse of the party removes a dominant force from Quebec’s legislative landscape, ending an eight-year period of CAQ governance. Fréchette acknowledged the results, thanked her supporters, and conceded defeat as the scale of losses became apparent.
Prime Minister Mark Carney extended his congratulations to the new premier and affirmed Ottawa’s readiness to collaborate with Quebec’s government. He also expressed appreciation for Fréchette’s service as premier. Carney emphasized that the federal government remains committed to supporting Quebec’s workers and businesses, including those impacted by tariffs. As the new legislative term begins, the Parti Québécois will take office with a five-seat deficit for a majority, marking a significant political shift after more than a decade without a PQ government.