QUEBEC / RankWire.AI / – In Quebec, the provincial election held recently resulted in the Parti Québécois achieving victory with 59 seats, leading to a minority government. The party fell just five seats short of the 64 needed for a majority in the 127-seat National Assembly. Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is expected to become Quebec’s next premier. This marks the first time since 2014 that the Parti Québécois has formed a government, after having secured only three seats in the 2022 election.
The Quebec Liberal Party finished second with 40 seats and will serve as the official opposition. The Conservative Party of Quebec obtained 19 seats, while Québec solidaire earned nine. The Coalition Avenir Québec, after eight years in power, failed to secure a single seat. These results represent a significant shift from the 2022 election, when the CAQ secured 90 seats. The new legislative assembly will now consist of four parties, none of which have enough seats to govern on their own.
Initial estimates indicated that the Parti Québécois received approximately 27.9% of the popular vote. This percentage was sufficient to form the largest caucus, despite support being split among multiple major parties. The Liberals, Conservatives, CAQ, and Québec solidaire each garnered substantial portions of the vote. Élections Québec classified the election-night figures as preliminary while the official count was still underway. The distribution of seats now leaves the incoming government reliant on support from other parties to pass legislation that requires a majority.
Parti Québécois reclaims power without a majority
The election has also reignited the debate over Quebec sovereignty in provincial politics. St-Pierre Plamondon has committed to holding a second referendum on independence once Donald Trump leaves office. Historically, Quebec voters rejected sovereignty in referendums in 1980 and 1995, with the latter resulting in a narrow federalist victory. During the 2026 campaign, the Parti Québécois continued emphasizing independence as a central goal while also addressing broader provincial issues to seek a mandate.
As a minority government, cooperation within the National Assembly will be essential for confidence votes and legislative approval. Throughout the campaign, the Quebec Liberals opposed another sovereignty referendum, and the Conservatives also rejected holding a new vote on independence. Québec solidaire supports Quebec sovereignty but differs from the Parti Québécois on several policy issues. With 59 seats, the PQ holds the largest bloc, yet it does not have outright control. The final seat count means opposition parties will play a crucial role in votes that determine whether legislation passes.
CAQ eliminated from legislature after two consecutive majorities
The election results marked the end of the Coalition Avenir Québec’s time in government, which began with its victory in 2018. Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette lost her race in Trois-Rivières as the party failed to elect any representatives. The CAQ had previously secured back-to-back majority governments before suffering defeat in 2026. Its collapse ended an eight-year period of CAQ rule, removing a dominant force in Quebec politics. Fréchette acknowledged the loss, thanked supporters, and conceded defeat after the scale of the party’s losses became clear.
Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated the new premier and expressed Ottawa’s readiness to collaborate with Quebec’s government. He also extended thanks to Fréchette for her service as premier. Carney reaffirmed that the federal government remains committed to supporting Quebec’s workers and businesses, including those impacted by tariffs. The provincial outcome leaves the Parti Québécois five seats shy of a majority as it prepares to assume office. Quebec now begins a new legislative session under its first PQ government in over ten years.