Supporters and opponents of Frédéric Beauchemin were divided in the race for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) at the formation’s general council on Sunday in Drummondville.
The race and convention will take place in the spring of 2025, and supporters of Mr. Beauchemin, the only candidate who has openly expressed interest in the leadership position, have pushed for a short-term race but to no avail.
In addition, Mr Beauchemin is the target of bullying allegations and has been expelled from the Liberal MPs group.
“I ask Mr Beauchemin’s team for a little respect,” asked former minister and MP Lucie Charlebois during the debate that followed the presentation of the racing rules on Sunday morning.
I want the date [de la course] be changed, said Denis Tremblay at the microphone, urging around 400 assembled activists to vote to change the calendar chosen by a committee.
I may be very disappointed with the result. It’s not our decision. As usual, the regions were not listened to. There is confusion within the Liberal Party.
Mr Tremblay, a supporter of Frédéric Beauchemin, asked why the MP had been excluded from the group. “I think it’s very serious,” he said.
Let’s mobilize! “Let’s finally stop shooting ourselves in the foot,” said Lucie Charlebois, former minister and MP.
For those who want an earlier race, get out of their way and show that they are capable of waiting until 2025. And when the general election comes, we will be there and win it.
The debates even revealed the existence of a split in the party’s youth wing between those who pushed for early candidacy and those who favored later candidacy.
For its part, the PLQ leadership defended its decision: We favor the best interests of the party in the short, medium and long term. There is no ideal or perfect solution, said Rafael Primeau-Ferraro, the party’s president.
MP André Fortin pointed out that it is his duty to attract and welcome applicants to the liberal family.