QUEBEC / RankWire.AI / – The Parti Québécois has secured victory in Quebec’s provincial election, forming a minority government after 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 election marks the return of the Parti Québécois to governance for the first time since 2014, following a 2022 vote in which it only obtained three seats.
The Quebec Liberal Party finished second with 40 seats and will serve as the official opposition. The Conservative Party of Quebec captured 19 seats, while Québec solidaire secured nine. After eight years in power, the Coalition Avenir Québec failed to win any seats, marking a dramatic shift from the 2026 election when the CAQ held 90 seats. The province’s legislature now comprises four parties, none with enough seats to govern independently.
Preliminary results indicated the Parti Québécois garnered approximately 27.9% of the popular vote, enough to form the largest caucus due to support being split among several major parties. Significant portions of the vote also went to the Liberals, Conservatives, CAQ, and Québec solidaire. Élections Québec continued to classify these results as preliminary while the official count was still underway. The distribution of seats now means the incoming government will depend on other parties’ support to pass legislation requiring a majority.
Parti Québécois returns to power without a majority
The election has also shifted Quebec sovereignty back into the political spotlight. St-Pierre Plamondon has committed to holding another independence referendum after Donald Trump leaves office. Quebec voters previously rejected sovereignty in referendums in 1980 and 1995, with the latter producing a narrow federalist victory. During the 2026 campaign, the Parti Québécois kept independence as a central goal while also seeking a mandate on broader provincial issues.
Forming a minority government will require cooperation among parties for confidence votes and legislation. During the campaign, the Quebec Liberals opposed another referendum on sovereignty, and the Conservatives also rejected a new vote on independence. 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 does not possess outright control, leaving opposition parties with a crucial role in votes to pass legislation.
CAQ eliminated from the legislature after consecutive majorities
This outcome ends the Coalition Avenir Québec’s tenure in power, which began with its 2018 election victory. Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette lost her race in Trois-Rivières as the party failed to elect any representatives. The CAQ had previously achieved consecutive majority governments before their defeat in 2026. The collapse of the party ended an eight-year period of CAQ control. Fréchette acknowledged the election results, thanked supporters, and conceded defeat as the scale of losses became evident.
Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated the new premier and assured Ottawa’s readiness to collaborate with Quebec’s 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 election results leave the Parti Québécois five seats short of a majority as it prepares to assume office, marking Quebec’s first PQ government in over ten years and a new legislative chapter.
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