Annual reviews are just as classic as fitness resolutions from January.
Here is mine, conceived from a very precise perspective: Behind the twists and turns of political competition emerge completely unpredictable, fundamental truths that are virtually immutable.
I'll stick with the Quebec scene.
1. “Never waste a good crisis.”
The phrase is attributed to Churchill. Fake. It comes from Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama's chief of staff.
It is clear that a disaster that strikes you can turn out to be a blessing if you know how to take advantage of it.
2023 was a disastrous year for the CAQ.
Looking back, we realize the extent to which the COVID crisis, a public health disaster, was a political boon for the Legault government.
For most of the first term, it hid its lack of a fundamental project, gave all the media space to the prime minister and prevented opposition parties from resisting, even if they were otherwise seen as whiners.
Today the king is naked.
2. “Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.”
This mega-cliché is about an obscure, largely forgotten philosopher named George Santayana.
Last year we asked ourselves whether the PQ was in intensive care or palliative care.
A year later he is ahead in the polls. Nothing has been decided yet, but it is a spectacular turnaround.
However, we no longer count the number of times the PQ and Independence Project were awarded to the deceased and buried.
One would have to have forgotten the past or be very ignorant not to realize that the development of Canada would sooner or later bring to the fore the question of the political status of Quebec: province or country?
3. “You can deceive some people at any time, all people at times, but not all people all the time.”
It's by Abraham Lincoln.
What the hell was Finance Secretary Eric Girard thinking with his ridiculous plan to subsidize NHL exhibition games after MPs voted for pay rises amid the most difficult negotiations in decades? with public sector employees?
Undoubtedly THE mistake of the year.
4. “The more power we have, the less we should abuse it.” »
The PLQ was in power for 15 years and forgot this maxim of the philosopher Seneca.
It lies dormant in the electoral basement, with no one but a complete stranger interested in running it.
He continues to pay the price for the perception of a party with elastic ethics.
5. “Revolutions run on empty bellies,” said an anonymous author.
Even in 2023, despite all the image polishing, QS was still in place.
The fundamental problem is that Quebecers live too comfortably to risk trying a radical program.