• Parti Québécois wins minority government in Quebec elections.
• Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon promises a referendum on independence.
• Voter support for independence remains low at around 30%.
• This win poses new challenges for Prime Minister Mark Carney's unity strategy.
• The victory follows a decade-long absence from power for the party.

The separatist Parti Québécois (PQ) has won a significant victory in Quebec's recent election, marking its return to power after almost a decade and setting the stage for a possible third referendum on Quebec's independence. The party's leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, is poised to become premier, promising to wait until US President Donald Trump leaves office before initiating the independence vote, likely aiming for January 2029. Although the PQ secured a plurality of seats, initial reports suggest they may not achieve a majority in the National Assembly, complicating their governance, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

Plamondon's election symbolizes a revival of the PQ's influence, which suffered significantly in previous elections, including a mere three seats in 2022. The rise of the PQ comes alongside a backdrop of wider electoral frustration with the outgoing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government and issues surrounding language preservation in an increasingly English-speaking country. Nevertheless, support for independence remains relatively unchanged at about 30%, indicating that while there is significant political sentiment, it does not equate to widespread backing for secession, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

In light of this election, Prime Minister Mark Carney faces renewed challenges to national unity, particularly within a month of a separate referendum in Alberta on potential independence. He expressed support for Plamondon's vision but emphasized the need for a calm debate free from the theatrics of external influences, such as the Trump administration. Carney's approach to maintaining cross-Canada unity will be under scrutiny in the wake of the PQ's return to power, especially given the recent tumultuous trade relations with the United States, according to BBC and Le Monde.

Beyond the question of independence, Plamondon has ambitious plans that include abolishing the monarchy in Quebec, a proposal that has been met with mixed reactions. He intends to redirect funds currently allocated for the lieutenant-governor's office towards social services, a move that could face legal challenges but reflects a significant policy shift that resonates with voters who continue to voice concerns over budgetary priorities in the province. This aspect of his platform seems to hold more immediate appeal than the independence question, as many Quebecers prioritize economic issues and provincial autonomy from federal decisions, according to BBC, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.