Liberals win, leader loses as minority elected in Quebec

[Amonester]

Source: CBC

Quebec has elected a Liberal minority government in Quebec, although party leader Jean Charest has lost his seat in Sherbrooke.

The Liberals and the Action Démocratique du Québec ran neck and neck in several closely contested ridings, with the Parti Québécois trailing in third for most of Monday night.

The election has resulted in the first minority government in Quebec since 1878.

The Liberals had 33 per cent of the popular vote, translating to 46 seats.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/quebecvotes2007/story/2007/03/26/qv-liberals20070326.html

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No (new) referendum in sight (for many months - if not years - ahead).

The left is back in its original positions (strong where established, ready to regroup - we hope - and propose a renewed platform ASAP).

[Lisa]

1. wow -- that's got to hurt, for Charest -- wasn't he one of the only 2 Tories

... in the entire country who kept their seats back when the Mulroney/Campbell Conservatives were kicked out of office?

[Joe Bacon]

2. Yes he was.

He was one of only 2 Tories returned to Parliament when Chrétien came in.

I can only dream of the day when only 2 Republic Party members are elected to Congress, here!

[Hand]

5. Charest and Elsie Wayne.

He was Mulroney's golden boy, the environment minister who got through the Green Plan. She was the obstreperous former mayor of Moncton, NB; scurrilous rumour had it that she was re-elected mostly because it would keep her out of town. :rofl:

[Lisa]

6. I seem to remember that 22 Minutes did a wicked satire on "the last breeding pair of Tories"

I'm still trying to get that image out of my mind!

[Hand]

7. Oh, good god.

Rick Mercer and Mary Walsh, I suspect--sorry I missed it! :rofl:

Of course, the other joke going around was that the Tories had become the first party in the history of western democracy to achieve true gender parity--half their MPs were women! :evilgrin:

[Hand]

3. Latest figures have Charest winning his seat after all.

Not a great night for him overall, however... :nopity:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

4. Update: Charest appears to have won his seat

Just click on the article and it gives you the updated version

[Amonester]

8. at the very last minute by the "early vote" (last week)

a "recount" might be called by his opponent (has yet to be determined)

[Lisa]

9. so his own campaign staff might have saved him?

I know that when I'm working on campaigns, the top brass (if they know what they're doing) remind everyone to go out and vote in the advance poll, so they will be free for door-knocking and scrutineering on election day.

[roamer65]

10. Looks like Dumont is the "kingmaker"

It will be interesting to see if he forms a coalition with the Libs or PQ.

[brentspeak]

11. Anything that prevents Quebec from seceding from Canada is good

[roamer65]

12. In retrospect, I really like Former PM Kim Campbell

She really is quite the "red tory" and takes absolutely no shit from anyone on Bill Maher's show.