QUEBEC / RankWire.AI / – After the recent Quebec provincial election, the Parti Québécois emerged victorious with 59 seats, enabling it to form a minority government. Falling five seats short of the 64 needed for a majority in the 127-member National Assembly, the party’s leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, is expected to become Quebec’s next premier. This election marks the return of the Parti Québécois to government for the first time since 2014, following a 2022 election where it secured just three seats.
The Quebec Liberal Party finished second with 40 seats, positioning it as the official opposition. The Conservative Party of Quebec took home 19 seats, while Québec solidaire gained nine. The Coalition Avenir Québec, after holding power for eight years, was unable to retain a single seat. This outcome signifies a significant shift from the 2022 election, where the CAQ won 90 seats. The new legislature will comprise four parties, none of which hold enough seats to govern independently.
Initial figures indicated that the Parti Québécois garnered approximately 27.9% of the popular vote. Despite not having the largest share, support was split among the Liberals, Conservatives, CAQ, and Québec solidaire, each attracting significant voter support. Élections Québec continued to classify the election-night totals as preliminary while the official vote count was still underway. The distribution of seats means the incoming government will depend on the support of other parties to pass legislation that requires a majority.
Parti Québécois reclaims power without a clear majority
The election also brought Quebec sovereignty back into the spotlight of 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 held in 1980 and 1995, with the latter resulting in a narrow federalist victory. During the 2026 campaign, the Parti Québécois maintained independence as a central objective while also seeking a broader mandate on provincial issues.
A minority government will necessitate cooperation within the National Assembly on confidence votes and other legislative matters. The Quebec Liberals opposed another sovereignty referendum during the campaign, and the Conservatives also rejected the idea of a new independence vote. Québec solidaire supports Quebec sovereignty but diverges from the Parti Québécois on several policy issues. With 59 seats, the PQ forms the largest bloc but does not hold outright control, leaving opposition parties with a key role in legislative decisions.
CAQ’s dominance ends after two majority mandates
This election concluded the Coalition Avenir Québec’s period in office, 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. Prior to the 2026 election defeat, the CAQ had secured consecutive majority governments. Its collapse has dismantled a party that had dominated the previous legislature. Fréchette acknowledged the loss, thanked supporters, and conceded defeat after the full scope of the party’s losses was clear, ending eight years of CAQ rule.
Prime Minister Mark Carney extended his congratulations to the new premier and stated that Ottawa was prepared to collaborate with Quebec’s new government. He also expressed appreciation 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. With the Parti Québécois just five seats shy of a majority, Quebec is about to enter a new legislative chapter under its first PQ government in more than ten years.