Quebec: Parti Québécois wins a minority mandate

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s Parti Québécois will form a minority government after the October 5 election, The Canadian Press reports. It remains below the 64 seats needed for a majority in the National Assembly. [2]

The distribution of seats

Élections Québec’s table, updated on October 6 at 5:03 p.m., shows 59 candidates leading for the PQ, 40 for the Liberals, 19 for the Conservatives, nine for Québec solidaire and none for the CAQ. Counting is complete; the page still labels the data preliminary. [1]

A programme requiring negotiation

The Canadian Press notes that the Liberals will form the official Opposition. The PQ promised a referendum; the minority result makes it necessary to distinguish that political proposal from a decision already taken. [2]

Separate official steps

Élections Québec distinguishes ballot counting, the official vote tally and the declaration of election. Its timetable places most declarations on October 14, after the applicable deadlines for judicial recount requests. [3]