If the trend continues, Quebec Solidaire is set to snag liberal Saint-Henri-Sainte-Anne Castle on Monday night after a less close-than-expected fight.
The Liberals have held this constituency since its inception in 1994. But after counting half the ballot boxes, everything indicates that this fortress has not withstood the volleys of Solidarity, including candidate Guillaume Cliche-Rivard.
He succeeds former PLQ chair Dominique Anglade, who left the seat vacant after resigning on 1 December.
Mr Cliche-Rivard will become QS’s 12th MEP in the National Assembly, giving the party political group status.
This was the immigration lawyer’s second attempt to be elected as Member of Parliament for riding Saint-Henri-Sainte-Anne. Last October he was beaten by Dominique Anglade by 2736 votes.
Only 32.1% of the 57,466 registered voters in that constituency exercised their right to vote. For comparison: On October 3rd, the participation rate was 57%.
The Party for Quebec Solidaire
Since the unveiling of the initial results, which gave Mr. Cliche-Rivard the lead, there was excitement in the air at the Brasseur du monde brewery in Montreal, where Quebec Solidaire activists gathered.
While some feared the Liberal candidate might surprise them, the gap with his pro-solidarity rival has widened, much to the surprise of activists.
“I expected it to be really close,” said Sheng Ming Gu.
At around 9:05 p.m., the atmosphere was heating up as Mr. Cliche-Rivard was declared the winner.
“GUILLAUME GUILLAUME GUILLAUME,” chanted the crowd.
With smiles on their faces, volunteers told the Journal it was their work on the ground that made the difference.
“This is the result of a lot of work. There were really a lot of us and we worked like crazy,” said Charline Robert-Lamy.
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