Quebec separatists win minority government, pledge post-Trump referendum

Quebec voters elected a Parti Québécois minority government on Monday, ending 12 years in opposition for the sovereigntist party. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, known as PSPP, is set to become premier after the PQ won 59 of 127 seats in the National Assembly, short of the 64 needed for a majority. The governing Coalition Avenir Québec was shut out entirely, losing all its seats including Premier Christine Fréchette's own riding of Trois-Rivières.

The Liberals under Charles Milliard formed the official opposition with 40 seats, while the Conservative Party of Québec surged to 19 seats, sweeping the Quebec City region. Québec solidaire elected nine members. Turnout was estimated at 67.3 percent.

“We deserve it, we deserve it to the same degree as all other peoples who have their country and their democracy.”

Plamondon has pledged to hold a third independence referendum, but only after Donald Trump leaves the White House in January 2029, arguing the current trade war creates an unstable climate for such a decision. The move poses a direct challenge to Prime Minister Mark Carney's unity agenda amid tensions with Washington.

Carney congratulated Plamondon and said building a stronger Quebec is central to a stronger Canada. Former premier François Legault also offered congratulations. Plamondon vowed to govern for all Quebecers, including anglophones, and to work with Ottawa when it serves the province's interests.