The leader of the Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, announced on Tuesday that the party will refrain from holding a referendum as long as Donald Trump remains in power as the U.S. President. St-Pierre Plamondon emphasized the importance of avoiding interference from American politics in Quebec’s political future discussions.
Acknowledging the significant challenges ahead for the next government, St-Pierre Plamondon made it clear that a referendum would not be pursued during Trump’s second term, which concludes on January 20, 2029. He expressed his intention to seek Quebecers’ opinions on independence after Trump’s term ends.
This decision was revealed just before the official launch of the Quebec provincial election campaign scheduled for October 5. St-Pierre Plamondon’s assurance to consult Quebecers on independence later in his term has sparked discussions among political leaders and the public.
While the Parti Québécois has garnered support in recent polls, with a lead in overall voting intentions, critics like Charles Milliard of the Quebec Liberal Party have raised concerns about the postponement of the referendum announcement. Milliard criticized the move as an attempt to manipulate public opinion and described it as a conflicting stance by the party.
The leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, Christine Fréchette, also criticized the decision, labeling it as “irresponsible” given the ongoing trade tensions and the need for stability in Quebec. Other party leaders, such as Éric Duhaime of the Conservative Party of Quebec, have questioned the Parti Québécois’ credibility in light of this delayed referendum decision.
As the political landscape in Quebec heats up ahead of the elections, the Parti Québécois faces a mix of support and skepticism regarding its referendum strategy. Despite the criticism, the party maintains its lead in the polls, positioning itself as a key player in the upcoming provincial election.
