Parti Québécois wins Quebec election with 59 seats

The Parti Québécois won Quebec’s election and is set to form the province’s next government, taking 59 seats, according to reports of the results. The party fell five seats short of the 64 needed for a majority, leaving it to govern without one. The result marks a sharp reversal for the sovereigntist party, which held three seats after the 2022 election. PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has pledged to hold a referendum on Quebec sovereignty, but says it would not take place before U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office in 2029. The election coverage reported that the pledge does not settle whether or how the new government will pursue a vote. The Liberals and Conservatives have said they would oppose a referendum, while Québec solidaire, which elected nine members, could have influence in the legislature. The sources do not establish whether it would support the PQ’s plans. The Liberals won 40 seats, the Conservatives 19, and Québec solidaire nine. The outgoing Coalition Avenir Québec, which entered the campaign with 79 seats, won none. Christine Fréchette, who became party leader and premier earlier this year, did not win a seat. She said she respected voters’ choice.