Émilise Lessard-Therrien has confirmed that she is considering when she might opt into the race for Québec solidaire (QS) co-leadership.
“When Manon made a vigorous appeal to the next generation, to women who also want to change the world, that there is a place for Québec Solidaire to fill, that appeal resonated with me,” he said. She recognized it immediately in an interview on the program “Le Bilan”.
The party has recently expressed a desire to focus more on the regions. More pragmatically, Ms. Lessard-Therrien turns the suggestion around: “Isn’t it up to the regions to finally invest in the political party?”
However, Ms Lessard-Therrien indicated that she did not take this decision lightly as she has returned to a slightly more normal pace of life since her defeat in the 3 October 2022 elections.
The former Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue horseback riding MP is particularly concerned about whether she is the right person for the party.
On Sunday, Mercier member Ruba Ghazal announced she would be taking part in the race, while Sherbrooke Solidarity member Christine Labrie said she was considering doing the same.
Ms. Ghazal and Ms. Labrie, unlike Ms. Lessard-Therrien, are both MNAs, which may favor or disadvantage the former MNA.
“I think we can see that as an advantage. Québec Solidaire has always claimed to be a ballot box and street party. What does it mean today when we have two speakers in the National Assembly, how do we keep the party alive in the streets, at the level of mobilizations on the ground and the various social movements that exist,” argues Ms Lessard-Therrien, among others.
The former MP said she is exploring the opportunities offered by the specificity of her position outside the group.
“Maybe there are benefits, that’s what I’m exploring, being an extra-parliamentary co-speaker. Can it help us to mobilize more and be more present on the ground in all corners of Quebec?” “, she wondered.