Konrad Yakabuski,[url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/after-moves-to-left-and-rig..."After moves to left and right, Parti Québécois may move down,"[/url] Globe and Mail, March 26, 2014.
During the “Maple Spring” of 2012, Parti Québecois Leader Pauline Marois wore a red patch in solidarity with students opposing tuition hikes and even banged on pots with them in protest. Elected Premier later that year, she chose the most left-leaning cabinet in decades, naming a former Quebec Green Party stalwart as her environment minister.The failure of those moves to boost her Parti Québecois among young Quebeckers, or win back progressives from the upstart Québec Solidaire, led Ms. Marois to change tack. Over the past year, she moved the PQ to the right in a clear attempt to go after conservative nationalists who had gravitated to the Coalition Avenir Québec.
It seemed to work for a while. But the PQ candidacy of media magnate and newly committed sovereigntist Pierre Karl Péladeau appears to have sent anti-referendum Caquistes seeking refuge with the Liberals, and more left-wing voters into the arms of Québec Solidaire. Ms. Marois’s “right turn” could even cost her power on April 7.
“The PQ government is going in the same direction as the Liberals, with austerity policies and supporting businesses that pollute,” says Manon Massé, who stands a good chance of becoming Québec Solidaire’s third MNA by winning the once solidly Péquiste Montreal riding of Sainte-Marie-Saint-Jacques.
As for the arrival of Mr. Péladeau, “people in my riding are indignant,” Ms. Massé adds. “That man has put hundreds – even thousands – of workers on lock-out over the years.”
