Quebec Premier Legault Announces Resignation

Quebec Premier François Legault announced his resignation as leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec and as head of the provincial government on Wednesday, acknowledging a widespread desire for change amid slumping poll numbers for his party. The 68-year-old leader, who founded the CAQ in 2011, will remain in office until a successor is selected through a party leadership race, with the next provincial election scheduled for October 2026.

Legault made the surprise disclosure during a press conference at the National Assembly in Quebec City, where only a small circle of close aides had prior knowledge. "I can see that many Quebecers currently want change and a change of premier, so I am announcing that, for the good of Quebec, I will be stepping down," he said. The timing followed the release of a Pallas Data poll on Tuesday showing the CAQ tied for fourth place with 11 percent support, behind the Parti Québécois at 34 percent, the Quebec Liberal Party at 24 percent, and the Conservative Party of Quebec at 16 percent. The survey also indicated that 75 percent of respondents held an unfavorable view of Legault, marking him as the least popular premier in Canada.