François Legault became premier of Quebec in 2018 after his right-leaning party, Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), won 74 of 125 seats in the provincial National Assembly. His party’s popularity led to an increase in total seat count to 90 in the 2022 election, creating one of the largest political majorities in Quebec in decades. Francois Legault appeared nearly invincible, but in 2023, his public image suffered greatly, and his approval ratings dropped. He became Canada’s most unpopular premier, and the Parti Québécois took the lead in the polls.
Throughout 2023, the CAQ faced criticism and political mistakes, causing a shift in the political landscape. The Quebec public was affected by the party’s failures, including service disruptions and broken election promises. Additionally, the emergence of Eric Duhaime’s Conservatives as a potential alternative for conservatives and libertarians further challenged Legault’s position. The current situation led to a call for a reconsideration of the CAQ’s path and a focus on regaining public trust through fiscal conservative policies and prudent handling of taxpayer dollars.
Looking ahead, if Legault wants to remain Quebec premier, it’s essential to build trust with the public. The emphasis should be on fiscal conservative policies, personal freedom, and a welcoming environment for businesses and investments, even though this hasn’t historically been the strong suit of Quebec governments. It’s necessary to reconsider the political path immediately to secure the premier’s position.