CanadaPQ May Win Majority
The Parti Québécois could win a majority government in Quebec with less than 30% of the vote, a feat never achieved in Canada. The party is leading in polls ahead of the election on October 5.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
The Parti Québécois is poised to win a majority government in Quebec with barely 30% of the vote, according to polls. This would be a historic feat, as no party has ever won a majority with such a low share of the vote in Canada.
Daniel Béland, a professor of political science at McGill University, said that if the PQ wins a majority with 30% of the votes, it would be 'absolutely stunning, super unprecedented'.
The PQ is leading in polls, with support ranging from 30% to 32%. The Liberal Party is in second place, with support between 22% and 26%. The incumbent Coalition Avenir Québec has fallen to fourth place, behind the Conservative Party of Quebec.
The extreme fragmentation of the vote, with five significant parties in the running, makes it possible for a party to claim victory with just 30% support, according to André Lecours, a political scientist at the University of Ottawa.
PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has promised to hold a referendum on independence within a first mandate, although not before 2029. This has not rallied new support, but the party is still expected to win due to the lack of enthusiasm for the alternative options.
The election campaign has been lacklustre, with none of the five viable parties managing to capture the imagination of voters. The PQ stands to win because the alternatives appear to be even less inspiring.
The outcome of the election could re-start or amplify the debate on electoral reform, according to Béland.
Key facts
- The Parti Québécois may win a majority government with less than 30% of the vote.
- The party is leading in polls ahead of the election on October 5.
- The extreme fragmentation of the vote makes it possible for a party to claim victory with just 30% support.
- PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has promised to hold a referendum on independence within a first mandate.
Three perspectives
Neutral
The election outcome is uncertain, but the PQ is expected to win due to the lack of enthusiasm for the alternative options. The result could have significant implications for Quebec's future. Voters will be watching the outcome closely.
Positive
The PQ's potential win could bring a new perspective to Quebec's government and potentially lead to a referendum on independence. This could be an opportunity for the party to implement its vision for the province.
Negative
The fact that the PQ may win a majority with less than 30% of the vote raises concerns about the electoral system. This could lead to a government that does not represent the majority of voters, potentially causing instability.
Your top 3 stories, every morning
The three biggest stories for your edition, in your inbox once a day. Free, and you can unsubscribe at any time.