Overview
- François Legault said he will resign and remain in office until the Coalition Avenir Québec selects a successor, with the provincial election due by Oct. 5, 2026.
- The CAQ is finalizing rules for its first leadership race, as Economy Minister Christine Fréchette says she is considering running and Finance Minister Eric Girard signals interest.
- Other potential contenders being discussed include cabinet ministers Sonia LeBel, Simon Jolin-Barrette and Bernard Drainville, reflecting an effort to stabilize the party after steep polling losses.
- Observers expect the campaign to focus on sovereignty, with the Parti Québécois leading and pledging a new referendum even as recent polls put support for independence near 35 percent.
- Legault’s departure follows policy failures and scandals — including the Northvolt collapse, a $500-million auto-insurance IT overrun and a bitter dispute with physicians that preceded Health Minister Christian Dubé’s resignation — which have added to political and business uncertainty.