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Quebec votes in tight three-way race Quebec votes in tight three-way race
(about 7 hours later)
Voting has begun in the Canadian French-speaking province of Quebec to elect a new government.Voting has begun in the Canadian French-speaking province of Quebec to elect a new government.
Opinion polls suggest the Parti Quebecois (PQ) - which seeks separation from the rest of Canada - could take power away from the governing Liberals.Opinion polls suggest the Parti Quebecois (PQ) - which seeks separation from the rest of Canada - could take power away from the governing Liberals.
The provincial election is a tight three-way race between the PQ, the incumbent Liberals and a popular new party, Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ).The provincial election is a tight three-way race between the PQ, the incumbent Liberals and a popular new party, Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ).
Pre-election opinion polls suggest the Parti Quebecois is most likely to win.Pre-election opinion polls suggest the Parti Quebecois is most likely to win.
However it is not expected to secure a majority.However it is not expected to secure a majority.
The almost six million people eligible to vote in the only majority French-speaking province of Canada are choosing 125 MPs. The almost six million people eligible to vote in the only majority French-speaking province of Canada are choosing 125 members of the national assembly (MNA).
Liberal leader Premier Jean Charest is seeking a fourth term, although observers say voters appear intent on regime change after nine years of Liberal rule.Liberal leader Premier Jean Charest is seeking a fourth term, although observers say voters appear intent on regime change after nine years of Liberal rule.
Previous PQ governments held independence referendums in 1980 and 1995, but both failed.Previous PQ governments held independence referendums in 1980 and 1995, but both failed.
Popular support within Quebec for a similar referendum is low, says the BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto, but PQ leader Pauline Marois says she would still hold one if the "winning conditions are right".Popular support within Quebec for a similar referendum is low, says the BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto, but PQ leader Pauline Marois says she would still hold one if the "winning conditions are right".
She has listed a series of demands for Canadian PM Stephen Harper if her party gains power, including further strengthening of laws to protect Quebec's French language and identity.She has listed a series of demands for Canadian PM Stephen Harper if her party gains power, including further strengthening of laws to protect Quebec's French language and identity.
"I would like to have the responsibility about the linguistic policy - about the French policy on the territory of Quebec. About culture, about communication and we would like to have the responsibility of the unemployment programme.""I would like to have the responsibility about the linguistic policy - about the French policy on the territory of Quebec. About culture, about communication and we would like to have the responsibility of the unemployment programme."
If elected, Ms Marois would become the province's first female premier.If elected, Ms Marois would become the province's first female premier.
The CAQ has surged into second place in pre-election polls with its pledge to unite separatists and federalists.The CAQ has surged into second place in pre-election polls with its pledge to unite separatists and federalists.
Many voters contend that the main issue is Quebec's flailing economy, our correspondent says.Many voters contend that the main issue is Quebec's flailing economy, our correspondent says.
The province is weighed down by a staggering 184bn Canadian dollars ($186bn; £117bn) of debt, he adds.The province is weighed down by a staggering 184bn Canadian dollars ($186bn; £117bn) of debt, he adds.
Quebec has also been beset for the past year with large student demonstrations - some violent - opposing the government's attempts to increase tuition fees.Quebec has also been beset for the past year with large student demonstrations - some violent - opposing the government's attempts to increase tuition fees.