Marc Tanguay resumes role as interim leader of Quebec Liberal Party

While awaiting the choice of its next leader, the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) is once again entrusting the role of interim leader to the member of parliament for LaFontaine, Marc Tanguay.

Tanguay is therefore resuming the position he held during the long interval between the departure of Dominique Anglade in November 2022 and the election of Pablo Rodriguez last June.

According to the president of the PLQ, Rafael P. Ferraro, Tanguay is a “respected member of parliament and recognized leader” within the Liberal caucus.

In a statement, he stressed that Tanguay’s sense of responsibility makes him “the right person to ensure stability and prepare the future of the Quebec Liberal Party with seriousness and responsibility.”

For his part, Tanguay thanked his caucus colleagues and the members of the party’s executive council for their confidence. He argued that the PLQ must “regain its capacity for action and embody progress.”

Tanguay has been a member of the National Assembly since 2012.

The appointment of an interim leader was made necessary by the resignation earlier this week of Rodriguez, who left his post as chief just over six months after his election.

Rodriguez, who has always maintained that he has nothing to reproach himself for, found himself in controversy for several weeks due to allegations related to the financing of his leadership campaign.

These allegations led to the launch of several investigations, including one by the Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit.

Tanguay’s new term as interim leader will necessarily be shorter than the previous one, as the PLQ will have to choose its new leader quickly if it wants to be ready for the October 2026 elections.

Little is known at this time about the process that will lead to the selection of the new leader. The party’s executive council is expected to meet “in the coming days” to determine the next steps.

Tanguay says the party must “embody progress” and that the Liberals will be ready for next year’s election. 

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews