CAQ opens first leadership race to replace Legault

The Coalition Avenir Québec will unveil rules for its first-ever leadership race as the party seeks a successor to Premier François Legault, who resigned earlier this month but will remain in office until a replacement is chosen.

The Coalition Avenir Québec will unveil the official rules for its first-ever leadership race Thursday afternoon as it moves to find a successor to Premier François Legault. Legault resigned earlier this month after more than seven years in office and said he will stay on until a replacement is found. The party he founded in 2011 has never held a leadership contest before, so it has developed rules for this process. The next provincial election is scheduled for this fall, and several cabinet members have recently resigned or announced they will not seek re-election. Key developments: - The party will present the leadership race rules at a 1 p.m. news conference at the Delta Hotel in Quebec City. - François Legault announced his resignation earlier this month but will remain premier until a successor is chosen. - No candidate has formally declared, though Economy Minister Christine Fréchette, Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette and Environment Minister Bernard Drainville have said they are considering runs. - The CAQ has said ministers who wish to run must step down from their cabinet positions to avoid conflicts of interest. - Several cabinet members have resigned from government or said they will not run in the next election. Summary: The CAQ is formalizing the process to select a new leader with rule details expected at the party news conference, and potential candidates may decide whether to enter the race afterward. The leadership outcome will influence the party’s direction and government leadership ahead of the provincial election this fall.