The national day controversy has highlighted the fratricidal war between Québec Solidaire and the Parti Québécois. But Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois might benefit from an agreement in the name of sovereignty, democracy or replacing the CAQ.
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“If we really believe [au mode scrutin] Relatively speaking, I don’t understand why the political parties are unable to reach electoral agreements,” estimates former MP Amir Khadir.
A bit like a truce or a non-aggression pact: “You don’t bother me here, I won’t bother you there.” This means that in certain counties neither party is pitting anyone against the other,” stresses the microbiologist, who is also a political columnist is at La Joute.
For the past week, the traditional Plains of Abraham show has been the subject of controversy. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s troops are refusing to participate due to the choice of artist and presenter Émile Bilodeau, who is associated with Québec Solidaire and has made harsh comments about the PQ.
Amir Khadir regrets the PQ’s reaction. Nevertheless, he is convinced that an electoral alliance between the two political parties is desirable.
“Quebec’s independence will be achieved with all, or it will never be achieved. There is everyone, there are all these newcomers and QS has already shown by supporting many people from different cultural backgrounds that the potential is there and if we join forces it is possible.”
The Péquisto solidarity agreement could also be made in a progressive perspective, since both are in the same boat on the issue of the real estate crisis or the privatization of the healthcare system. Or simply democratic, since there will be no reform of the electoral system.
And an electoral pact does not mean a political rapprochement, especially on identity issues such as secularism and immigration, the former MP emphasizes broadly in favor of solidarity activists.
But he knows there is restraint in his camp. A rapprochement attempt between the two parties in 2017 failed. Amir Khadir had approached Véronique Hivon to present his proposal to the PQ. “But there was a robbery in my group. The people of my party were not ready.”
Historian Éric Bédard recalls that the PQ was originally a coalition of dissidents from the Rally for National Independence (RIN), trade unionists, left-wing Catholics and former liberals.
In addition to the personality of René Lévesque, it was the real possibility of taking power and holding a referendum that kept the cement in place. “It has silenced the dissent.”
The professor portrays the sovereignist movement as a two-legged being that must coordinate in order to move forward. “But the two legs are not coordinated,” says Éric Bédard. Some accuse others of being racist and xenophobic, others accuse them of not being true separatists.
However, there are examples of successful electoral alliances in history, think of the alliance that preceded the birth of the Union Nationale. In France, communists and socialists have historically maintained their common identity, but hatched a common program to apply once in power.
“If such a joint program existed, it could be an extremely important political force. But that requires good will and political will.” And the more violent the attacks between political parties, the more traces they leave behind.
For his part, François Gendron, PQ MP for 42 years, considers an alliance between PQ and QS to be “completely impossible”. As proof, he takes the failed advance attempt in 2017.
“No, you can’t do that with QS,” he starts with conviction. The former minister questions the sovereign loyalty of many solidarists.
In addition, François Gendron supports the PSPP’s decision not to take part in the Saint-Jean spectacle due to the presence of Émile Bilodeau, who had already wished the PQ dead.
What they said:
“The reform of the electoral system will not take place. So why not try to think of ways to achieve proportional representation outside the ballot box? […] in terms of an electoral agreement, so as not to harm each other”
– Solidarity ex-MP Amir Khadir
“We agree on the goal, but we don’t agree on the way to get there. This is sad to see and plays into the hands of those who have always opposed sovereignty.”
– Historian and Professor Éric Bédard
“An election deal with Québec Solidaire is not an option”
– Former PQ MP François Gendron
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