QUEBEC / RankWire.AI / – The Parti Québécois secured victory in Quebec’s provincial election, establishing a minority government by winning 59 seats. The party fell five seats short of the 64 needed for a majority in the 127-member National Assembly. Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is expected to become Quebec’s next premier. This outcome marks the return of the Parti Québécois to power for the first time since 2014, after having only three seats in the 2022 election.
The Quebec Liberal Party finished second with 40 seats, taking the role of the official opposition. The Conservative Party of Quebec secured 19 seats, while Québec solidaire gained nine. The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) failed to win any seats after an eight-year period in government. The election results represent a significant shift from 2022, when the CAQ held 90 seats. The legislature now comprises four parties, none of which hold enough seats to govern independently.
Initial estimates placed the Parti Québécois at approximately 27.9% of the popular vote. Despite this, it secured the largest caucus because support was dispersed among several major parties. The Liberals, Conservatives, CAQ, and Québec solidaire all drew substantial portions of the vote. Élections Québec continued to classify the results from election night as preliminary, as the official count was still ongoing. The distribution of seats means the incoming government will need to rely on support from other parties to pass legislation that requires a majority.
Parti Québécois reclaims power without a majority
The election also shifted Quebec sovereignty back into the spotlight of provincial politics. St-Pierre Plamondon has committed to holding a second referendum on independence once Donald Trump leaves office. Quebec voters rejected sovereignty in referendums in 1980 and 1995, with the latter narrowly favoring federalism. During the 2026 campaign, the Parti Québécois emphasized independence as a core political goal while also addressing broader provincial issues to secure a mandate.
A minority government will necessitate cooperation within the National Assembly on confidence votes and legislation. During the campaign, the Quebec Liberals opposed another sovereignty referendum, as did the Conservatives. Québec solidaire supports Quebec sovereignty but differs from the Parti Québécois on several policy issues. With 59 seats, the PQ holds the largest bloc but lacks outright control, leaving opposition parties with a crucial role in votes that determine legislative passage.
CAQ disappears from the legislature after two majority mandates
The election marked the end of the Coalition Avenir Québec’s time in power, which began with its 2018 victory. Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette lost her race in Trois-Rivières, as the party failed to elect any representatives. The CAQ had previously won consecutive majority governments before facing defeat in 2026. Its collapse eliminates a party that dominated the previous legislature. Fréchette acknowledged the election results, thanked supporters, and conceded defeat after the scale of losses became evident, concluding an eight-year CAQ administration.
Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated the incoming premier and affirmed Ottawa’s readiness to collaborate with Quebec’s new government. He also expressed gratitude to Fréchette for her leadership as premier. Carney reaffirmed 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 now embarks on a new legislative chapter under its first PQ government in over ten years.