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Quebec Premier François Legault will resign ahead of fall election
Summary
François Legault announced he will resign as Quebec's premier and said he will remain in office until his party selects a new leader; the announcement comes ahead of the scheduled fall provincial election.
Content
François Legault announced his resignation as Quebec's premier in a morning press conference at the National Assembly in Quebec City. He said he will step aside after nearly eight years leading the province and will stay on until his party chooses a new leader. Legault founded the Coalition Avenir Québec in 2011 and credited his movement with reshaping the province's political landscape. The announcement comes with a provincial election scheduled for the fall and amid a period of lower support for his party.
Key facts:
- Legault announced he will resign as premier and will remain in the role until his party chooses a successor.
- He founded the Coalition Avenir Québec in 2011 and positioned the party between federalist and sovereigntist camps.
- The party has faced a decline in support in recent polls and lost several members from its legislative caucus.
- Media reports note controversies during his government, including cost overruns at the province's auto insurance board.
- The Parti Québécois is reported to be leading in polls and has said it would pursue a third referendum on independence if it wins power.
Summary:
The resignation ends nearly eight years of François Legault's leadership and raises questions about the Coalition Avenir Québec's direction going into the fall election. The party will select a new leader while the province heads toward the scheduled provincial vote, and the outcome of both processes will shape Quebec's political landscape in the months ahead.
Sources
PQ leader says it's time to relaunch debate on sovereignty after Legault resignation
The Star1/18/2026, 2:46:22 AMOpen source →
Legault's resignation triggers shakeup. What can we expect from the Parti Québécois? | CBC News
CBC News1/16/2026, 9:00:00 AMOpen source →
Justin Ling: This is going to be a long year in Quebec politics -- and Legault's resignation is only the beginning
The Star1/15/2026, 10:16:33 AMOpen source →
François Legault resigning as Quebec's premier with election approaching | Globalnews.ca
Global News1/14/2026, 4:15:18 PMOpen source →
Quebec Premier François Legault to resign ahead of fall election
The Globe and Mail1/14/2026, 4:12:33 PMOpen source →
