Quebec Premier François Legault Resigns Ahead of Provincial Election

Quebec’s Premier François Legault announced his resignation on Wednesday, stepping down as leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) party and premier ahead of the province’s upcoming election. Legault said he would remain in office until his party selects a successor.

Legault, 68, who co-founded the CAQ in 2011 and led it to majority victories in 2018 and 2022, acknowledged that many Quebecers were seeking change and a new leader. Polls in recent months showed the CAQ trailing behind both the Parti Québécois and the Quebec Liberals as voter support declined.

The announcement came months before the scheduled provincial election this fall, forcing the CAQ into a leadership race with little time to regroup. Legault said he remains committed to serving Quebecers but agreed it was time to pass the torch.

Legault’s tenure was marked by significant controversies, including healthcare struggles, disputes with medical professionals, and policies on secularism and language laws that drew both support and criticism. His government also faced challenges with large cost overruns and unpopular reforms that eroded public support in recent years.

In his resignation speech, Legault expressed confidence that ongoing negotiations with Newfoundland and Labrador on a potential energy agreement could still benefit both provinces, despite shifts in leadership. Newfoundland premier Tony Wakeham said the change in Quebec leadership would not affect the review of the draft energy deal.

The CAQ will now hold an internal leadership contest to choose a new party leader who will become premier and lead the party into the October election, a pivotal moment for Quebec’s political landscape.