François Legault resigned as premier of Quebec on Wednesday, marking a sudden end to his leadership of the province. Speaking at a hastily called press conference in Quebec City, Legault stated that serving as premier was "the greatest honour of my life."
Legault's resignation follows a period of turmoil for the governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) party. He will remain in office until the party elects a new leader, a process that could take several months. The CAQ faces the prospect of significant electoral losses in the upcoming months.
Legault founded the CAQ and led the party to consecutive majority governments beginning in 2018. His tenure as premier was marked by several key policies, including reforms to the province's immigration system and language laws. One controversial policy involved banning prayer in public institutions, which drew criticism from civil rights groups.
The reasons for Legault's abrupt departure remain unclear. His resignation leaves the CAQ in a vulnerable position as it seeks to maintain its hold on power. The party will now begin the process of selecting a new leader to guide them into the next election. The leadership race is expected to be competitive, with several prominent CAQ members likely to contend for the position. The outcome of the leadership contest will significantly shape the political landscape of Quebec in the coming years.
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