Parti Québécois Reclaims Chicoutimi in By-Election Victory
The Parti Québécois (PQ) has successfully reclaimed the Chicoutimi riding in a recent by-election, marking a significant political shift. This victory occurred just eight months ahead of the scheduled general elections. Marie-Karlynn Laflamme, former vice-rector of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, has been elected as the new PQ representative.
Background of the By-Election
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Andrée Laforest, the former Minister of Municipal Affairs. She resigned her position in September after an unsuccessful attempt to secure the mayoralty of Saguenay. The election for Chicoutimi was called by François Legault, who announced his departure from politics earlier this year.
PQ’s Stronghold
Chicoutimi has historical significance for the Parti Québécois, previously serving as a bastion for the party from 1973 to 2018. Under previous leadership, the PQ lost ground to the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ), which had a notable majority of 62.3% in the 2022 elections.
Election Results Overview
- Winner: Marie-Karlynn Laflamme (PQ)
- Second Place: Eric Duhaime’s Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ)
- Third Place: Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ)
- PQ’s Recent Wins: This marks their fourth by-election victory since the 2022 general elections, following wins in Jean-Talon, Terrebonne, and Arthabaska.
Voter Engagement
The voter turnout as of 4:30 PM stood at 24.5%. This is significantly lower compared to past by-elections, which saw turnouts of nearly 60% in Arthabaska and 37.29% in Terrebonne.
Future Implications
With this victory, PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon aims for an ambitious goal of securing all five seats in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region by the next general elections in October 2026. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party, aiming to surpass expectations, may gain momentum based on their second-place finish.
The political landscape is evolving as both the PQ and the CAQ prepare for the upcoming electoral challenges, making the by-election results a pivotal moment in Quebec politics.
