PLQ: Pablo Rodriguez chooses Marwah Rizqy to counter Legault

Liberal MNA for Saint-Laurent, Marwah Rizqy, has been named parliamentary leader, and will be answering Premier François Legault’s questions in the Salon rouge over the next few months. New Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) leader Pablo Rodriguez made the announcement on Thursday after his first caucus with Liberal MNAs.

“I know she’s going to rattle the cage. I think some people won’t sleep as well tonight, I’m convinced of that (…) If I were François Legault, I’d be scared right now,” Rodriguez said at a press briefing at the National Assembly to justify his choice.

Rizqy succeeds Marc Tanguay, who held the position for two and a half years.

“Every day, I’ll be on the government’s heels, and I’ll have no shortage of issues,” she assures.

The Liberal MNA supported Rodriguez in the leadership race.

Rumors had been circulating recently that she might cede her seat to her new extra-parliamentary leader. Rizqy sought to dispel any suspicions on Thursday: “I’m finishing my mandate with all the energy you know me for.”

For his part, Rodriguez says he wants to wait until 2026 to make his entry into the National Assembly. In the meantime, he will be criss-crossing Quebec to rebuild his party and recruit candidates for the next election.

The return of Marie-Claude Nichols

The caucus also marked the official return of Marie-Claude Nichols, MNA for Vaudreuil, to the Liberal caucus. She had been expelled with great fanfare in the wake of the last election in 2022.

“I’m happy to be back in the fold,” she said Thursday at the National Assembly.

During the leadership race, Nichols had resumed her membership in the PLQ and supported Rodriguez, who finally won the race last Saturday.

“I’m a team player. Pablo convinced me that he’s the right person to lead the team. I’m very confident,” added Nichols.

With his return, the Liberal caucus now stands at 20.

Following the Liberal defeat in 2022, Nichols was expelled from caucus after refusing to accept the responsibilities offered to her by then leader Dominique Anglade.

Instead, the MNA for Vaudreuil wanted to be third Vice-President of the National Assembly, a position that comes with an additional $35,000 allowance. In the end, the Liberal MNA for Viau, Frantz Benjamin, got the job.

On Thursday, Rodriguez took part in his first caucus at the National Assembly since his victory.

“It’s an extremely emotional moment. I’m proud to be with such a strong caucus, and I’m especially proud of what we’re going to accomplish together for Quebec,” he told the Liberal MNAs, who applauded him warmly.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews