Quebec Economy Minister Christine Fréchette has officially thrown her hat into the ring to lead the governing Coalition Avenir Québec party and potentially take over as Premier, succeeding François Legault.
Fréchette made the exciting announcement at the headquarters of Groupe PRO-B, an industrial construction company in her hometown of Trois-Rivières.
In a notable move, Environment Minister Bernard Drainville has also expressed his desire to run for the leadership position, setting the stage for a competitive race to lead the party.
The leadership candidates, as per new party regulations, are required to temporarily step down from their ministerial roles during the campaign period. Fréchette, who first entered politics in 2022 as a member of the Parti Québécois, has earned recognition for her work in areas such as immigration and energy reform.
Already securing endorsements from various members of the national assembly, including key figures like Ministers Gilles Bélanger and Benoit Charette, among others, Fréchette is gearing up for what promises to be a dynamic leadership contest.
Prospective candidates must meet specific criteria, including obtaining signatures from 1000 CAQ members across multiple ridings and providing a monetary contribution of $30,000. With a deadline set for February 21st, the new CAQ leader, and the future premier, will be decided come April 12th.
Minister Drainville has gained support from influential party members like Minister Delegate for the Economy Samuel Poulin and MNAs Kariane Bourassa and Isabelle Lecours, further adding intrigue to the unfolding leadership race.
While some prominent figures like Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette have opted not to run, the field remains competitive, with each candidate vying for the opportunity to lead the party into the future.
