PLQ leadership: Beauchemin joins forces with Rodriguez

Surprise in the race for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) as MP Frédéric Beauchemin joins the favorite Pablo Rodriguez, three days before the official start of the race.

• Also read: PLQ leadership: two new supports for Pablo Rodriguez

Candidate announced for months, the member for Marguerite-Bourgeoys finally gives up running for the Liberal leadership. Former federal minister Pablo Rodriguez will make the announcement on Monday, at the start of the leadership race.

A former banker, MP Beauchemin had nevertheless called into question the credibility of his opponent in terms of sound management of public finances, just a few weeks ago, because of his heritage in Justin Trudeau’s government. “He was part of a government where we spent like sailors on the run!” mocked the elected official at the opening of the liberal congress in Lévis last November.

Not to mention his position in favor of a third road link between Quebec and Lévis, which is not at all in line with the vision of Pablo Rodriguez, who prioritizes a public transport tunnel.

The decision to join Pablo Rodriguez’s team therefore surprises many among the reds. Especially since the elected official has asked for support recently and has always shown himself certain of winning. But the holiday season would have been decisive in his reflection, we are told. Faced with a lack of notoriety compared to his competitors, the only MP who had expressed interest in the Liberal throne preferred to give up and support the leading team.

Pablo Rodriguez is the favorite of liberal voters, according to the most recent opinion polls from the Léger firm. But above all, it is the only one that would allow the PLQ to shake up the Quebec political scene and provoke a three-way fight for the next election.

Running for months on the ground, the race to succeed Dominique Anglade will formally begin on Monday. In addition to Pablo Rodriguez, former mayor Denis Coderre, businessman Charles Milliard and lawyer Marc Bélanger have already announced that they will be on the starting blocks.

The Quebec Liberals will elect their new leader on June 14, after a five-month campaign.