Parti Québécois Achieves Third By-Election Victory, Challenging Legault's Coalition

The Parti Québécois celebrated a notable achievement in the recent by-election, continuing its upward trajectory as it heads towards the 2026 provincial election. This win was highlighted by Alex Boissonneault, a former journalist, who triumphed over Éric Duhaime, the leader of the Quebec Conservatives, in the Arthabaska riding. The seat had been under the control of Legault's Coalition Avenir Québec since 2012, making this loss particularly striking for the governing party.

Despite initial predictions that the contest would be tight, Boissonneault secured more than 46 percent of the vote compared to Duhaime's 35 percent. Boissonneault emphasized the significance of the victory during his acceptance speech, declaring the return of a vital part of Quebec to the Parti Québécois. This win adds to the party's momentum, following previous victories in Jean-Talon and Terrebonne, demonstrating a shift in voter sentiment as the parti has consistently led in polls over the past two years.

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, the leader of the Parti Québécois, hailed the victory as monumental for the party and indicative of its potential to supplant the CAQ government. He referenced the absence of a win in the riding for nearly three decades as a pivotal moment, suggesting that this could lay the groundwork for a robust government in the next election cycle. The party's supporters responded joyously, waving flags and chanting the candidate's name, showcasing a renewed sense of hope for sovereignty.

In contrast, Duhaime expressed disappointment, claiming that the Conservatives missed an opportunity to gain representation in the legislature and highlighting a perceived distortion in the democratic process following the last election. He acknowledged the party's progress since he took over leadership but pointed out the necessity of emphasizing their values ahead of the upcoming elections.

Premier Legault accepted responsibility for the defeat, admitting that voters were dissatisfied with his government's performance, citing failures in various projects that failed to meet public expectations. He communicated the message from Arthabaska-L’Erable as a critical reflection of broader discontent with the CAQ.

Additionally, the Quebec Liberal Party has seen a rise in support under new leader Pablo Rodriguez, managing to place third in this election compared to their previous standing. The by-election was prompted by the resignation of a CAQ member, who transitioned to the Conservative Party at the federal level.