Separatist Parti Québécois wins Quebec election but falls short of a majority

International Election Polity & Governance

Separatist Parti Québécois wins Quebec election but falls short of a majority

6 October 2026

The separatist Parti Québécois won the most seats in Quebec's provincial election held on Monday.
Its leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is set to become premier.
It was on track for nearly 60 seats, short of the 64 needed for a majority in the 127-seat National Assembly.
It will need opposition support to pass major laws and survive confidence votes.
The result ends eight years in office for the centre-right Coalition Avenir Québec.
The party has promised another referendum on leaving Canada, but only after Donald Trump leaves office in January 2029.
Support for independence is about 30 per cent, which is low by historical standards.

Seats for majority: 64 of 127 Outgoing government in office: 8 years Support for independence: about 30 per cent

Why it matters for exams: Shows how a multiparty provincial system can return a separatist party to power without a majority.

Kerala PSCUPSC

6 October 2026 Source: Al Jazeera

In plain words

Minority government A government whose party holds fewer than half the seats — It must rely on other parties to pass laws and win confidence votes.