QS MNA Vincent Marissal will not run for mayor of Montreal

Despite poor poll numbers and a particularly difficult 2024 for his party, Québec solidaire (QS) Rosemont MNA Vincent Marissal says that he will not run for mayor of Montreal. But he hasn’t definitively closed the door for it in the future.

“After long and careful consideration, I have decided to decline this magnificent challenge. I have no doubt about my learning and leadership abilities, but modesty compels me to conclude: you don’t become mayor of Montreal overnight,” he wrote in a letter published in La Presse Wednesday morning.

His name had been circulating for some time, and he himself confirmed that he was considering it.

“It’s flattering and even exhilarating to see that people see us occupying such a position. I thank those who approached me,” he added in his letter.

Citing in particular the fact that he is not “independent by means of means,” the QS deputy indicates that the option of running for mayor caused him “great ethical concerns,” even though campaigning for mayor while remaining a deputy is “permitted by law.”

“Preliminary discussions with the office of the Ethics Commissioner (…) confirmed to me that the path to mayor is very narrow and lined with barbed wire, which is easy to scratch,” explains the QS MNA.

Marissal, however, is not completely closing the door.

“In short, I’m passing, but I’m not turning my back on this city I love so much. Something tells me that this may not be the definitive end between Montreal and me. Between Montreal and you, who encouraged me to take the plunge, who offered me your help and even your candidacy, who suggested I stay in touch and continue the discussion,” he wrote in conclusion to his letter.

A Difficult 2024

QS had a difficult 2024 due to controversies that particularly affected Vincent Marissal.

Émilise Lessard-Therrien resigned from her position as co-spokesperson last April, just a few months after being elected. The Rosemont MNA, who had supported her in the race, said she felt “a certain guilt.”

This departure caused internal tensions regarding the leadership style of the party’s other spokesperson, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois. Marissal then argued that he needed to change his approach to managing QS.

Then, in November, the Solidarity MP for Maurice-Richard, Haroun Bouazzi, sparked a spate of controversy by claiming that he saw “every day” in the National Assembly “the construction of this Other” whose culture “is said to be dangerous or inferior.”

The Solidarity MP then refused to apologize and added fuel to the fire during a Radio-Canada radio interview. His statements sparked divisions among party activists and significant unease among Solidarity MPs.

Marissal was shaken by this story.

“It’s difficult to do my job in these times, so I call for maturity. I call for hard work, for professionalism. Let’s stop getting bogged down in irrelevant sideshows (…) This is a message to all MPs around the world: when you put your party in trouble, it doesn’t help anyone.” “And Haroun, he heard us,” he said at the time.

At the time, the Rosemont MP also refused to say whether he still had confidence in Haroun Bouazzi.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews