Legault says Coalition Avenir Québec will remain relevant after he leaves

Quebec Premier François Legault told reporters he expects the Coalition Avenir Québec to remain a political force after he steps down, saying the party balances economic priorities and the protection of the French language.

Quebec Premier François Legault spoke to reporters in Quebec City after announcing his intention to step down as premier and leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec ahead of the October provincial election. He said the party he co-founded in 2011 was created as a third option to the federalist‑sovereigntist divide and that it balances the needs of the economy with efforts to protect the French language. Legault said the CAQ still has room for sovereigntists who accept working within Canada. He also said he will not endorse any candidate in the upcoming leadership contest and that he does not plan to prorogue the legislature when it opens next month. Reported facts: - Legault announced he will step down as premier and CAQ leader before the October election and addressed reporters for the first time since that announcement. - He said the CAQ’s founding aim in 2011 was to offer an alternative to the federalist‑sovereigntist binary and to seek more provincial autonomy while remaining within Canada. - Legault said the party remains best placed to balance economic priorities and protect the French language, and that sovereigntists can remain in the party if they accept working within Canada. - He stated that the Parti Québécois would create economic uncertainty and that the Liberals would not do enough to reverse the decline of French in Montreal, as matters of concern motivating the CAQ’s role. - The CAQ has not yet announced rules for its leadership race; several ministers have said they are considering a run while others have declined or announced they will leave politics. Summary: Legault presented the CAQ as positioned to address economic and linguistic challenges and expressed confidence the party will remain relevant after his departure. The party has not announced the leadership race rules, and who will lead the CAQ next is undetermined at this time.