Independent MNA Vincent Marissal who left Québec Solidaire to quit politics

Québec Solidaire (QS) Rosemont independent MNA Vincent Marissal has announced that he will not be running in the next general election and confirmed that he will be leaving politics at the end of his term.

Marissal sent shockwaves through the political world last November when he left QS. At the same time, the caucus suspended him for holding discussions with the Parti Québécois (PQ) about the possibility of running for them in the next election.

On Monday, Marissal made no secret on social media that his decision to leave politics required “deep introspection.” However, he concluded that, eight years after taking the plunge, he has reached this point.

“I need to find myself again, to get out of the omnipresent spotlight of public life. The last thing I want is to be involved in another controversy, ugly back-and-forth, or polemic,” he wrote.

“What I want is to find another way to be useful, to serve Quebec, which is in great need of love and commitment,” he added, also citing more personal reasons.

Marissal emphasized that he harbors “no bitterness toward anyone” and that he takes “full responsibility” for his actions and statements.

“I remain immensely proud to have been elected twice by my fellow citizens of Rosemont, and I am still honored by the trust, friendship, and even affection they show me every day. I am leaving for myself and by myself,” he said.

As for the future, Marissal mentions writing projects, but nothing more specific at this time. He notes that he must first cut the ties that bind him to politics.

A former journalist, Marissal was elected Member of Parliament for Rosemont in 2018. Re-elected in 2022, he was Quebec Solidaire’s spokesperson on health issues for many years.

His break with QS last fall was stormy. In particular, he criticized his former party for being ungovernable.

“It’s a party that is paralyzed by its base, a party that is completely bogged down and unable to break free. There is a phenomenal distance between the caucus and the activist base,” he lamented.

Marissal admitted to having spoken with PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon about the possibility of running for the PQ in the next election.

St-Pierre Plamondon said he was open to welcoming the former Solidarity member for the 2026 election, but ruled out Marissal joining his party before the election campaign.

In 2025, Marissal had also considered running for mayor of Montreal, but ultimately decided not to do so.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews