PQ Makes a Comeback: Chicoutimi By-Election Shakes Quebec Politics
The Parti Québécois is staging a remarkable return to Chicoutimi, reclaiming a seat it once held for decades. Early projections indicate that Marie-Karlynn Laflamme is leading with nearly 47.5% of the vote, a clear margin over the Parti conservateur du Québec’s Catherine Morissette, who is polling just above 24%. This result, if confirmed, marks a fourth consecutive by-election victory for the PQ and a symbolic reconquest of a historic stronghold in the Saguenay region.
Chicoutimi has been a political battleground for years. The seat was vacated by former CAQ minister Andrée Laforest, whose tenure saw the Coalition avenir Québec reach record highs locally. With her departure, the stage was set for a competitive by-election, drawing both Paul St-Pierre Plamondon of the PQ and Éric Duhaime of the PCQ into intense campaigning. Both party leaders made multiple visits, highlighting the high stakes of this contest.
Also Read:- Mayweather vs Pacquiao: Boxing’s Epic Rematch Set for Las Vegas
- Wyatt Russell Heads Into Cold War Russia With Monsters in Shocking Spin-Off
Voter turnout, however, tells another story. By 4 p.m., participation barely reached 24%, roughly half the level seen in the last general election. Low engagement in by-elections is common, yet it underscores the challenge for parties to mobilize their base outside major election cycles. Despite this, the PQ’s lead suggests that its messaging and local connections remain strong, particularly in a district where it historically dominated from 1973 to 2018.
The Parti conservateur is also showing signs of growth. In 2022, Morissette’s predecessor captured just 8% of the vote, but this time she’s secured nearly a quarter of ballots counted so far, signaling rising conservative momentum in the region. Meanwhile, the CAQ faces a sobering reality. Once a local powerhouse under Laforest, the party now struggles to maintain relevance, with their candidate Francis Tremblay capturing just over 13% of the vote. The shift reflects broader questions for François Legault’s party about sustaining support in traditional strongholds.
For Quebec politics, this by-election is more than a local contest. It highlights shifting alliances, growing conservative traction and the resilience of the PQ in areas where it once seemed to have faded. With general elections looming in just months, parties will be watching closely, analyzing how this result might foreshadow broader trends across the province.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow the final vote count in Chicoutimi and analyze what this historic by-election means for Quebec’s political future. Keep watching for updates and in-depth coverage from the ground, as every vote shapes the province’s path forward.
Read More:
0 Comments