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Quebec's Parti Quebecois set for election victory Quebec's Parti Quebecois take election victory
(35 minutes later)
The separatist Parti Quebecois is heading for victory in parliamentary elections in the Canadian French-speaking province of Quebec. The separatist Parti Quebecois has won parliamentary elections in the Canadian French-speaking province of Quebec.
Preliminary results indicate the party is on course to win 58 of the 125 seats and form a minority government after nine years in opposition.Preliminary results indicate the party is on course to win 58 of the 125 seats and form a minority government after nine years in opposition.
It is unclear whether a PQ victory will lead to a new referendum on separation from the rest of Canada. As results came, PQ leader Pauline Marois' victory speech was disrupted by a shooting in which one person was killed and another wounded.
Police cleared the hall and arrested a man, before the meeting continued.
Pauline Marois was rushed off the stage in Montreal although the gunman's target was unclear.
The suspect was heard shouting "The English are waking up", as he was led away in handcuffs.
The shooting marred PQ celebrations. It is unclear whether the party's victory will lead to a new referendum on separation from the rest of Canada.
Previous PQ governments held such votes in 1980 and 1995, but both failed.Previous PQ governments held such votes 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."
Ms Marois now looks likely to become the province's first female premier. Ms Marois, 63, will now become the province's first female premier.
The PQ was competing against the governing Liberals and a popular new party, Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ).The PQ was competing against the governing Liberals and a popular new party, Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ).
Incumbent Liberal Premier Jean Charest has lost his seat.Incumbent Liberal Premier Jean Charest has lost his seat.
His party is on course to lose 16 seats, giving it 48 rather than 64 in the outgoing parliament.His party is on course to lose 16 seats, giving it 48 rather than 64 in the outgoing parliament.
But Mr Chartest stressed that the PQ had only gained a minority victory:But Mr Chartest stressed that the PQ had only gained a minority victory:
"The result of this election campaign speaks to the fact that the future of Quebec lies within Canada," he said. "The result of this election campaign speaks to the fact that the future of Quebec lies within Canada."
The almost six million people eligible to vote in the only majority French-speaking province of Canada choose 125 members of the national assembly (MNAs).The almost six million people eligible to vote in the only majority French-speaking province of Canada choose 125 members of the national assembly (MNAs).
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 C$184bn ($186bn; £117bn) of debt, he adds.The province is weighed down by a staggering C$184bn ($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.