QUEBEC / RankWire.AI / – The Parti Québécois has achieved victory in Quebec’s provincial election, establishing a minority government after winning 59 seats. The party fell five seats short of the 64 needed for a majority in the 127-seat National Assembly. Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is poised to become Quebec’s next premier. This outcome marks the Parti Québécois’ return to governance for the first time since 2014, following a 2022 election in which it obtained only three seats.
Meanwhile, the Quebec Liberal Party finished second with 40 seats and will serve as the official opposition. The Conservative Party of Quebec secured 19 seats, and Québec solidaire gained nine. The Coalition Avenir Québec, after eight years in office, did not manage to hold onto any seats. This election outcome signifies a notable departure from 2022, when the CAQ held 90 seats. The Quebec legislature will now comprise four parties, none of which possess enough seats to govern independently.
Initial data indicated that the Parti Québécois garnered approximately 27.9% of the popular vote. This percentage was sufficient to give the party the largest caucus, owing to support being split among several major parties. The Liberals, Conservatives, CAQ, and Québec solidaire each attracted substantial segments of the electorate. Élections Québec continued to classify the election-night figures as preliminary while the official tally process was still underway. The distribution of seats leaves the incoming government reliant on support from other parties to pass legislation requiring a majority.
Parti Québécois regains power without holding a majority
This election also saw the reemergence of Quebec sovereignty as a central issue in provincial politics. St-Pierre Plamondon has committed to holding another independence referendum once Donald Trump leaves office. Historically, Quebec voters rejected sovereignty in referendums held in 1980 and 1995, with the latter narrowly favoring federalism. During the 2026 campaign, the Parti Québécois continued emphasizing independence as a core policy goal while also seeking a mandate on broader provincial matters.
A minority government will require cooperation within the National Assembly for confidence votes and legislative initiatives. During the campaign, the Quebec Liberals opposed another sovereignty referendum, as did the Conservatives, who also rejected holding 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 have outright control. Consequently, opposition parties will play a significant role in votes that determine whether legislation is approved.
CAQ’s governance ends after consecutive majorities
The election concluded the period of governance by the Coalition Avenir Québec, which began with its victory in 2018. Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette lost her race in Trois-Rivières as the party failed to elect any representatives. The CAQ had previously won back-to-back majority governments before the 2026 defeat. Its downfall marked the end of an eight-year era dominated by the party. Fréchette acknowledged the loss and expressed gratitude to supporters as the scale of the setbacks became apparent, bringing an end to the CAQ’s time in power.
Prime Minister Mark Carney extended his congratulations to the incoming premier and affirmed that Ottawa was ready to collaborate with Quebec’s new leadership. He also thanked Fréchette for her service as premier. Carney emphasized that the federal government remained 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. Quebec now embarks on a new legislative session under its first PQ government in more than a decade.
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