The disintegration of the once-mighty Action démocratique du Quebec gathered speed with the sudden resignation Friday of one-third of what remains of its rump of a caucus.
The right-wing, third-place provincial party has suddenly lost two of its remaining six elected members, who told a news conference that they would sit as Independents.
They include Eric Caire, who recently came in second in the party's leadership race, and colleague Marc Picard.
Mr. Caire cast his move as a question of principle - and said he couldn't recognize the right-wing party he once believed in.
"This is no longer the party I worked for," Mr. Caire said. "That ADQ no longer exists for me."
The recent paper-thin leadership victory of Gilles Taillon - by only two votes - is coming under increased scrutiny, with reports of campaign irregularities.
Read the rest: Remi Nadeau, [url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ailing-adq-loses-one-third-..."Ailing ADQ loses one-third of its caucus,"[/url] Globe and Mail, November 6, 2009.