Christine Fréchette has been chosen as the new CAQ leader and premier of Quebec, succeeding François Legault. The former cabinet minister won against Bernard Drainville in a vote by party members on Sunday. The results were announced in Drummondville, east of Montreal. Fréchette, 56, is the first person to lead the Coalition Avenir Québec other than Legault, who founded the party in 2011.
Legault announced his resignation in January after the CAQ's popularity declined in polls. Fréchette, who resigned as economy minister to run for the leadership, is now tasked with overcoming the party's unpopularity with only six months until the election. Recent polls indicate the CAQ is below 10 per cent, and some predict the party may not win any seats in October.
Fréchette has focused on economic issues, including reopening the debate around shale gas and hydraulic fracturing. She has also promised to limit immigration, improve housing and healthcare access, and reduce government size. Born in Trois-Rivières, Fréchette was named CAQ MNA for Sanguinet in 2022. Under Legault, she served as minister of immigration, economy, and energy.
Fréchette will take the next few weeks to select her cabinet before returning to the National Assembly on May 5. The provincial election is scheduled for October 5. She told party members that they have voted for a new style of leadership to lead Quebec into a new stage.
