QUEBEC / RankWire.AI / – The Parti Québécois has emerged victorious in Quebec’s provincial election, winning 59 seats and forming a minority government. 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 victory marks the Parti Québécois’s return to power for the first time since 2014, following a 2022 election in which it managed only three seats.
The Quebec Liberal Party placed second with 40 seats and will serve as the official opposition. The Conservative Party of Quebec secured 19 seats, while Québec solidaire obtained nine. The Coalition Avenir Québec failed to retain any seats after holding power for eight years. These results represent a significant shift from the 2022 election, when the CAQ won 90 seats. With four parties now in Quebec’s legislature, no single group has enough seats to govern alone.
Initial reports indicated the Parti Québécois captured approximately 27.9% of the popular vote. This share allowed them to form the largest caucus because support was split among several major parties. The Liberals, Conservatives, CAQ, and Québec solidaire all drew substantial portions of the vote. Élections Québec classified the election-night figures as preliminary while the official tally was still being processed. The distribution of seats means that the incoming government will need support from other parties to pass legislation requiring a majority.
Parti Québécois Regains Power Without a Clear Majority
The election also brought Quebec sovereignty back into the forefront of provincial politics. St-Pierre Plamondon has committed to holding another referendum on independence after U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office. Quebec voters previously rejected sovereignty in referendums held in 1980 and 1995, with the latter resulting in a narrow federalist win. Throughout the 2026 campaign, the Parti Québécois emphasized independence as a core goal while also seeking support on broader provincial issues.
A minority government will necessitate cooperation among parties on confidence votes and legislation. During the campaign, the Quebec Liberals opposed another sovereignty referendum, and the Conservatives also rejected the idea of holding a new vote on independence. Québec solidaire supports Quebec sovereignty but differs from the Parti Québécois on various policy matters. While the PQ holds the largest bloc with 59 seats, it does not have outright control. The final seat count grants opposition parties an influential role in votes that determine legislative passage.
CAQ Eliminated from the Legislature After Two Majorities
This election resulted in the end of the Coalition Avenir Québec’s time in office, which began with their 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 achieved consecutive majority governments before facing defeat in 2026. Their collapse removed a dominant force from the previous legislative assembly. Fréchette acknowledged the election results, thanked supporters, and conceded after the scale of losses became evident, concluding eight years of CAQ governance.
Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated the incoming premier and assured that Ottawa is ready to collaborate with Quebec’s new administration. He also expressed gratitude to Fréchette for her service as premier. Carney reaffirmed that the federal government remains committed to supporting Quebec workers and businesses, including those impacted by tariffs. With the Parti Québécois holding five seats short of a majority, Quebec is now entering a new legislative phase under its first PQ government in over ten years.