QUEBEC / RankWire.AI / – In Quebec’s provincial election, the Parti Québécois emerged victorious with a total of 59 seats, enabling it to establish a minority government. Although this was enough for a parliamentary presence, it fell five seats short of the 64 needed for a majority in the 127-member National Assembly. Party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is set to assume the role of Quebec’s next premier. This victory marks the first time since 2014 that the Parti Québécois has been in government, following a 2022 election where it only gained three seats.
The Quebec Liberal Party finished in second place with 40 seats and will serve as the official opposition. The Conservative Party of Quebec secured 19 seats, while Québec solidaire obtained nine. The Coalition Avenir Québec, after eight years in office, failed to retain any seats, marking a significant shift from the 2026 election when the CAQ claimed 90 seats. The composition of Quebec’s legislature now includes four different parties, with none holding a sufficient number of seats to govern independently.
Initial estimates indicated that the Parti Québécois garnered approximately 27.9% of the popular vote, a figure that was enough to produce the largest caucus since the support was dispersed among several key parties. The Liberals, Conservatives, CAQ, and Québec solidaire all attracted notable shares of votes. While Élections Québec continued to classify the election-night figures as preliminary, the official vote count was still in progress. The distribution of seats now means the incoming government must rely on backing from other parties to pass legislation that requires a majority.
Parti Québécois returns to power but without an outright majority
This election also brought Quebec sovereignty back to the forefront of provincial political debate, with St-Pierre Plamondon promising to hold another referendum on independence after U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office. Historically, Quebec voters rejected sovereignty in referendums held in 1980 and 1995, with the latter producing a narrow federalist victory. During the 2026 campaign, the Parti Québécois continued to emphasize independence as a core political goal while also seeking a broader mandate on provincial issues.
Operating as a minority government, Quebec will now need to foster cooperation within the National Assembly on confidence votes and other legislative matters. 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 areas. With its 59 seats, the PQ holds the largest bloc but lacks majority control, meaning opposition parties will play a crucial role in votes that determine whether legislation is approved.
CAQ’s rule ends after two consecutive majorities
The election results brought an end to the Coalition Avenir Québec’s time in power, which began with its victory in 2018. Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette lost her race in Trois-Rivières, and the party failed to elect any members. The CAQ had previously secured consecutive majority mandates before suffering defeat in 2026. Its collapse eliminated a party that had dominated the legislative landscape for years. Fréchette acknowledged the defeat, thanked her supporters, and after the extent of the losses became evident, signaled the conclusion of an eight-year CAQ governance period.
Prime Minister Mark Carney extended congratulations to the incoming premier and assured that Ottawa was ready to collaborate with Quebec’s new government. He also expressed gratitude to Fréchette for her service as premier. Carney emphasized 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 just five seats short of a majority as it prepares to assume office, marking the start of a new legislative chapter under Quebec’s first PQ government in over ten years.
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