Candidate for the position of female co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire, Ruba Ghazal wants the left-wing party to be more nationalist and embody the pride of being Quebecois.
• Read also: QS female spokesperson: Ruba Ghazal enters the race
“We are a proud people. I want Québec solidaire to embody it more and for this love to be heard more on the part of Québec solidaire,” said the candidate to succeed Émilise Lessard-Terrien in an interview.
“We are very strong on the issues of social justice, ecology and the defense of public services […] But we are less heard about this pride and the defense of culture and the French language,” said the member for Mercier.
Ruba Ghazal recalls that QS “is pro-independence” and that the party must assert itself.
“For me, the nationalism that I want Québec solidaire to embody even more, it is a nationalism which is based on the love of Quebec, the love of the Quebec people, the pride of being Quebecois”, a- she describes, adding that progressive and left-wing issues and values can embody nationalism.
“Nationalism does not belong to the right. The left must reclaim it in the most inclusive way. I always say inclusive, unifying and open nationalism,” she explained. “It is this nationalism which, when I arrived in Quebec at the age of 10 and I did not speak a word of French, allowed me to feel entirely Quebecois, as much as I am of origin Palestinian.”
- Listen to the interview with Ruba Ghazal, Solidarity MP for Mercier and candidate as co-spokesperson for Québec Solidaire on Mario Dumont’s microphone on QUB:
Listening
Ruba Ghazal maintains that she was affected by the crisis that hit Québec solidaire this fall, mainly by the departure of co-spokesperson Émilise Lessard-Therrien. If she is elected, she assures that she will be a listening co-spokesperson.
“I want Catherine Dorions and Émilise Lessard-Therriens to be able to find their place in our party as much as Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois or Christine Labrie,” explained Ruba Ghazal during her press briefing.
In interview, Mme Ghazal admits that she will fight hard inside the caucus and that she will know how to make her voice heard. During the crisis, the leadership of Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois was criticized. He and his close guard would lead to QS.
“Yes, I’m a fighter, but I’m still someone who listens. I’m someone who will work in a team, for real. This is what members are looking for. Someone who takes his place […]but someone who does things in harmony,” she described.
Relationship with GND
She maintains that she “wants” to form a duo with Gabriel.
“We know each other. We got to know each other. We have worked together for many years. I have evolved and changed. I have improved and he too, I feel this desire.
No member of the caucus was present with her during the launch of her campaign, but she points out that she has the support of supportive elected officials, but does not intend to make announcements on their behalf.
Furthermore, Mme Ghazal does not want to be elected by acclamation.
“I have no control over that, but I invite all members of Québec solidaire, even those who are not elected, to run for this position if they wish.”
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