“How do I keep them motivated? »: Legault confides in his deputies

When François Legault met Emmanuel Macron at a trade fair, on the sidelines of the Francophonie Summit, he had difficulty approaching him because the crowd was so dense around the French president. However, that day, Macron’s popularity had never been so low: only 22% support in the polls, headlined all the newspapers.

“Look at my situation and compare it with that of Mr. Macron. I like my situation better than that of Mr. Macron! », Tells us François Legault with a wink, despite his popularity rating which has also plummeted.

The Prime Minister seems in good spirits in France. While the Los Angeles Kings play their games in Quebec, he is far from this controversy which hurt his government. In addition, he feels like he is leading the conversation on the issue of immigration, making Ottawa react from miles away.

Between a speech to theUNESCO and a formal visit, François Legault talks about the challenges that await him upon his return to Quebec, as he reaches the halfway point of his second mandate.

“Politics is never easy!” When we make decisions, even if it’s a small minority that opposes, and we accumulate decisions, that’s a lot of people who may be dissatisfied. But, it’s part of politics! I don’t do politics to be popular, I do politics for results,” he tells us.

For results, he counts on his ministers whom he describes star teameven going so far as to compare it to that of the Lévesque firm in 1976, formed among others by Jacques Parizeau, Bernard Landry and Lise Payette.

He does not need to put pressure on Christian Dubé to reform the health system. “I have confidence that he will deliver in 2025 what he promised. Christian is the type who works seven days a week, and who puts a lot of pressure on himself.”

But François Legault must keep in mind that it is not just ministers.

Honestly, one of the challenges I have is keeping MPs who have the ability to be ministers. I understand there are some frustrations. There are some who are not on the council, but who would benefit from being discovered […] On the other hand, I am satisfied with my council of ministers.

We underestimate the complexity of managing a caucus with 86 deputies, who have been waiting for their turn at the cabinet table for six years, he explains to us.

Keeping MPs in a “good mood” is a challenge

“How do I motivate them? That’s a big question! », Continues the Prime Minister.

It’s like in any organization. Ensuring that we have a team of 86 who are in a good mood is a big challenge! […] for having discussed it with other prime ministers before me.

On several occasions, he repeats that he understand the dissatisfaction of his ambitious deputies.

“One of the most thankless jobs is to be a deputy in a government, without being a minister. In the opposition, by definition, there are fewer of us. Everyone has their own portfolio and we are spokespersons or critics in matters of Education or Health, for example. It’s a challenge in government to get everyone involved in the work we’re trying to do.”

François Legault has obviously done some introspection on how to manage his caucus. He remembers that former Prime Minister Jean Charest was very close to his.

“I’m trying to spend more time with the deputies! » This is one of François Legault’s resolutions between now and the next electoral campaign, to avoid other resignations like that of the member for Saint-Jérôme, Youri Chassin.

“It’s really about taking time. Whether it’s adding caucuses, having MPs come to see me individually at my office, or ensuring that the team near me meets with them more often. There are deputies who are assistants to ministers. We must ensure that ministers also give them interesting mandates,” he adds.

Many suitors to succeed him

François Legault repeats that he wants to return for a third term, hence the need to maintain team spirit in those around him. Internal affairs are as important as public policies to maintain a certain cohesion.

To the question: “Would your party survive without you?” “, he replies: “When I look at the quality of the team, I’m not worried! There would be many contenders, but we have started work and there is still more to do. I want to participate. »

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What l’excite the most is the development of Hydro-Québec and the battery sector. He wants Quebec to find itself at the heart of the green economy.

Otherwise, he agrees that reforms in Health and Education will be decisive issues in the next electoral campaign. “I am happy that we increased the education budget to 50%, but that does not produce results in the short term. We will see the results in ten years.” He is also proud of his economic record, “in a context that is not easy”, with inflation and high interest rates.

“I am optimistic for the two years before the election that we will deliver results! “.

Until then, aware that some members of his star team risk not running for a third term, he knows that he must take care of his succession.