Quebec Separatists Return to Power Without a Majority

Quebec’s separatist party has won the Canadian province’s election without securing a majority, returning to power under Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.

The result gives the party an opportunity to revive its independence agenda, but leaves it short of the legislative strength that a majority would provide.

Plamondon has pledged to hold a new referendum on Quebec’s independence, putting the province’s relationship with the rest of Canada back at the centre of his political programme.

He has, however, deferred that step until after US President Donald Trump leaves office, tying the proposed vote’s timing to a change in leadership in Washington.

The party now faces the challenge of governing without a majority while pursuing a longer-term commitment to another independence vote.