National Assembly dean offers support to Cloutier for PQ leadership
Parti Québécois leadership candidate Alexandre Cloutier has picked up the support of the respected dean of the National Assembly, François Gendron.
Gendron becomes the third caucus MNA to back Cloutier and it comes as the leadership race — which Pierre Karl Péladeau is leading — picks up steam.
But choosing his words carefully and noting he has nothing against the other candidates, Gendron told a news conference that Cloutier, the youngest of the candidates, represents the kind of renewal the party needs.
Together with Joliette MNA Véronique Hivon, another highly regarded PQ MNA who supports Cloutier, Gendron concluded they are the kind of young, progressive, pragmatic and modern team required to save the PQ.
Gendron said only Cloutier seems to have grasped the message from voters of the last election in which the PQ was turfed out of office; that the PQ needs to be reformed and modernized.
“It’s time for a new start and a renaissance of the sovereignty movement,” Gendron said, flanked by Cloutier and Hivon.
“It’s not only to win, it’s to change the PQ, change Quebec,” Cloutier added, saying Gendron’s support came out of the blue and was a pleasant surprise.
And Gendron dismissed polls showing Péladeau out in front, noting that in his 38 years in politics he’s seen leadership contests turn into short term popularity contests before with disastrous results. This time, that is not enough. “We need to be sure their ( candidates) ideas are solid, built on rock and based on convictions,” Gendron said. “I am relying on the intelligence of members who will vote.
Responding to the news about Gendron, Péladeau said he was happy for Cloutier.
“He ( Gendron) decided to support Alexandre, good for him,” Péladeau told reporters. “I have a lot of respect for him. It’s a good illustration of democracy in the PQ.”
Radio Canada reported Tuesday evening that Péladeau will announce a new supporter Wednesday, former PQ finance minister Nicholas Marceau.