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Quebecers Reject Separatists, Handing Power to Liberal Party Quebecers Reject Separatists, Handing Power to Liberal Party
(5 months later)
OTTAWA — An attempt to secure power in Quebec by calling a snap election turned against the separatist Parti Québécois on Monday. In a reversal of early campaign expectations, the Liberal Party, which supports remaining in Canada, emerged with a strong victory. OTTAWA — An attempt to secure power in Quebec by calling a snap election turned against the separatist Parti Québécois on Monday. In a reversal of early campaign expectations, the Liberal Party, which supports remaining in Canada, emerged with a strong victory.
Not only was the Parti Québécois removed from power, but Pauline Marois, the premier and its leader, was not re-elected to her seat in the legislature.Not only was the Parti Québécois removed from power, but Pauline Marois, the premier and its leader, was not re-elected to her seat in the legislature.
The result was a severe rebuke of the movement for Quebec independence. Before the election, Ms. Marois and other party leaders played down the likelihood that they would begin a third referendum on separation if re-elected. For years, polls have shown that a firm majority of Quebecers oppose leaving Canada.The result was a severe rebuke of the movement for Quebec independence. Before the election, Ms. Marois and other party leaders played down the likelihood that they would begin a third referendum on separation if re-elected. For years, polls have shown that a firm majority of Quebecers oppose leaving Canada.
But the party’s attempt to avoid the issue, which was the basis of its founding, fell apart last month when it unveiled its star candidate: Pierre Karl Péladeau, a media magnate with extensive broadcasting, newspaper and cable television holdings. He immediately vowed to make Quebec a nation in a rousing speech that concluded with a raised fist.But the party’s attempt to avoid the issue, which was the basis of its founding, fell apart last month when it unveiled its star candidate: Pierre Karl Péladeau, a media magnate with extensive broadcasting, newspaper and cable television holdings. He immediately vowed to make Quebec a nation in a rousing speech that concluded with a raised fist.
For 18 months, the Parti Québécois relied on support from the opposition in the legislature to remain in power because it lacked a majority.For 18 months, the Parti Québécois relied on support from the opposition in the legislature to remain in power because it lacked a majority.
Ms. Marois called the election after her party’s proposal to ban the wearing of religious symbols by public servants elevated its ratings in several polls.Ms. Marois called the election after her party’s proposal to ban the wearing of religious symbols by public servants elevated its ratings in several polls.
But by late Monday night, the Liberals had secured 70 seats, seven more than they needed for a majority. The Parti Québécois held onto 30 seats, putting it not much ahead of the third-place Coalition Avenir Québec, a right-of-center party.But by late Monday night, the Liberals had secured 70 seats, seven more than they needed for a majority. The Parti Québécois held onto 30 seats, putting it not much ahead of the third-place Coalition Avenir Québec, a right-of-center party.
Not long after television networks began predicting a Liberal triumph, protesters unhappy with the result began filling some streets in Montreal. But unlike the demonstrations that frequently paralyzed the city two years ago, the protest eventually dissipated.Not long after television networks began predicting a Liberal triumph, protesters unhappy with the result began filling some streets in Montreal. But unlike the demonstrations that frequently paralyzed the city two years ago, the protest eventually dissipated.
The Liberals were handicapped by an unfolding scandal involving early governments headed by the party, organized crime and contractors. After examining corruption in municipal governments, a public inquiry, suspended during the campaign, is now turning its attention to the provincial level.The Liberals were handicapped by an unfolding scandal involving early governments headed by the party, organized crime and contractors. After examining corruption in municipal governments, a public inquiry, suspended during the campaign, is now turning its attention to the provincial level.
Philippe Couillard, who was campaigning for the first time as Liberal leader, is a respected neurosurgeon not known for his charisma.Philippe Couillard, who was campaigning for the first time as Liberal leader, is a respected neurosurgeon not known for his charisma.
His public image was so unfocused at the outset of the vote that there was concern that he might not win election in his electoral district. He was, in fact, elected by a comfortable margin.His public image was so unfocused at the outset of the vote that there was concern that he might not win election in his electoral district. He was, in fact, elected by a comfortable margin.
Ms. Marois announced late Monday night that she was stepping down as the party leader. That could leave open the possibility that Mr. Péladeau, who won a seat in a suburb of Montreal, will move to fill the void.Ms. Marois announced late Monday night that she was stepping down as the party leader. That could leave open the possibility that Mr. Péladeau, who won a seat in a suburb of Montreal, will move to fill the void.