(Drummondville) The Quebec Liberal Party’s (PLQ) decision to elect its next leader in spring 2025 is dividing Liberal activists. Proponents of early or late voting agree on one point: a coronation would be the worst-case scenario for a new beginning of their political formation.
Posted at 11:53 am.
At the party’s general council this weekend in Drummonville, the announcement of the rules for the leadership contest, which will culminate in a party conference in the Quebec region, sparked heated debate.
“Our associations [et] The bases are scrapped. There are several that don’t work at all. The next leader will have a lot of work to do to rebuild everything,” said activist Paul-Eugène Grenon, who hoped to run in 2024.
To run as the Liberals’ next leader, candidates must collect the signatures of 750 members in good standing from at least 70 constituencies and 12 regions, including 350 new members. You will also be required to post a $40,000 bond. Election costs will be capped at $400,000.
PLQ election committee president Nicolas Plourde stated that a faster late race “would be likely.” […] to dissuade several candidates from running.” In his opinion, this factor was crucial for the Executive Council, which ultimately decided on the election of a leader in 2025.
Don’t wait for “a Messi”
At the microphones on Sunday, many activists denounced this decision. “In the Liberal Party we can’t afford it […] waiting for a Messi,” said young activist Maïa Gonthier, who is supporting MP Frédéric Beauchemin to become leader.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Liberal MP Frédéric Beauchemin
The elected official of the Marguerite-Bourgeoys constituency was recently expelled from the Liberal group as part of an investigation into a bullying complaint lodged in Parliament by Élyse Moisan, president of the Youth Commission and party researcher, against him and his team of activists. Although he was in favor of a hasty race, Mr Beauchemin assured that the decision taken by the party “will not change”. [son] Game schedule “.
Former minister Lucie Charlebois later called on Frédéric Beauchemin’s activists, who accompanied the MP on all his trips to Drummondville this weekend, to respect the party’s choice and give other candidates time to present themselves.
PHOTO HUGO-SEBASTIEN AUBERT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
Liberal activist and former minister Lucie Charlebois
“Let’s mobilize, gang!” Let’s stop shooting each other in the knees! […] Let’s put our party forward and when the election comes, we will be there and win it! ” she said, drawing loud applause.
Derraji might reconsider his choice
In the press crush in the congress corridors, Liberal Party leader in Parliament Monsef Derraji suggested he might reconsider his decision not to enter the race if several candidates were not running.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Liberal MP Monsef Derraji
What I didn’t want and what I don’t want is a coronation. A coronation means only one thing. We will not be the real alternative to the CAQ in 2026 [avec un couronnement].
Monsef Derraji, Liberal MP
For his part, André Fortin, who also decided not to take part, confirmed that he would be very active in the coming weeks to attract aspiring chefs to take part in the race.
“It is important to use our networks to find out who might be interested in a leadership competition. For me it will be part of my actions in the coming weeks and months,” he said.
MP for Westmount-Saint-Louis Jennifer Maccarone said she is conflicted between running in 2024 or 2025. However, she supports the decision by the PLQ Executive Council. “That’s what we want [un chef] Quality. If that means I have to wait to find the right person, I’m willing to wait,” she said.
Time to rebuild
William Baril, political adviser to Frédéric Beauchemin and vice-president of the Liberal youth wing, said he was “disappointed that members were not listened to.” According to him, “in the short term, the party appears to be sailing in a direction that is not necessarily clear, “without a leader, without a race and without a debate of ideas.”
In the chamber, the co-chair of the committee for the revival of the PLQ, former senator André Pratte, reiterated that the activists must first “get things in order” to attract the person he hoped will become the next premier of Quebec.
The Liberals are aware of their challenges, as they are at their lowest point in the polls and suffered a crushing defeat in the last by-election in their former stronghold of Jean-Talon.
“I don’t know if people know, but there is no real rush to become leader of the Liberal Party,” remarked activist Vincent Lacroix. For him, an election campaign in 2025 will allow the political party to attract new members and rebuild itself.