Liberal MP Marwah Rizqy said Tuesday that she had received calls from potential candidates for leadership of the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) since former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre confirmed that he was considering running for the position.
“My phone actually rang. [Il y a] people who are starting to think sincerely,” said the MP upon her arrival at her party’s caucus, meeting for three days in Thetford Mines.
Ms. Rizqy said she had been contacted by “men” coming “from the business community”. They are trying to find out “what the real workload is,” she explained. The “good deal” is that when Denis Coderre announced [qu’il était en réflexion]there are other people who said: “Well, I have the taste too,” she rejoiced.
The Liberal MP said she was “glad to see that there is interest” in the position. She then laughed when a journalist asked her if the former mayor of Montreal had a good record.
“Look, his record, I think it’s more up to him to defend it,” she said. She recalled that Mr. Coderre had led a municipal electoral campaign “on his record” in 2017 and that he had lost. “It may be that Montrealers were not satisfied,” she noted. That doesn’t mean that at the national level, it would be the same thing. »
The interim leader of the PLQ, Marc Tanguay, did not notice a “Coderre effect” in his telephone call log. “It is clear that the closer we get to the deadline for the starting gun [de la course à la chefferie], the more people inquire, the more people will call, regardless of the fact that Denis Coderre said publicly that he was considering it,” he said. Mr. Tanguay said he was convinced of seeing “quality candidates” leading “a real race”.
Liberals delighted with the attention
Other liberal elected officials who spoke to the media were delighted with the attention given to their party since Mr. Coderre’s exit.
“I am excited with anyone who wants to get involved in the Liberal Party,” said caucus president Enrico Ciccone. I think that the more people who get involved, the more there will be a debate of ideas. »
“It’s interesting that there are people who are interested in us regarding the leadership race,” said MP Jennifer Maccarone. She did not want to comment on Mr. Coderre’s legacy to Montreal town hall. “What good has Mr. Coderre done for Montreal? It’s a good question. I think I will let Mr. Coderre defend himself regarding his record. »
“I don’t have too many comments to make. He is a person that I respect a lot, Mr. Coderre. I will not take stock of him today, I welcome his candidacy,” also declared MP Michelle Setlakwe. MP Gregory Kelley, for his part, underlined the strong presence of the former mayor of Montreal on the ground. “This is something that is important for a future leader of the Liberal Party,” underlined the elected representative of Jacques-Cartier.
Frédéric Beauchemin turns the page
Newly reinstated in the caucus, the MP for Marguerite-Bourgeoys, Frédéric Beauchemin, for his part said “look forward”. The elected official was excluded from the caucus in October because he was the subject of a complaint of psychological harassment. He was reinstated to the Liberal caucus in December following a mediation process.
“The complaints were withdrawn by mutual agreement with all stakeholders. So it’s behind us. We are moving forward,” he said.
Mr. Beauchemin once again confirmed his interest in the leadership of his party. He praised the qualities of Mr. Coderre, who could become his opponent in the race. “He is a very good candidate, I am happy that Mr. Coderre is currently considering joining the leadership race. The more candidates there are, the more debates there will be, the more ideas will be put on the table,” he said.
MP Beauchemin, who had a career at Scotiabank, took up issues related to finance, the economy and innovation within the official opposition. “You are going to hear us talk a lot about the economy, about our SMEs,” warned Chief Tanguay, in anticipation of the parliamentary session which begins on January 30. He criticized the Legault government — “the bad government” — for abandoning “everything that is not [ses] eyes of big deals.”
The PLQ leadership race will take place in spring 2025, as decided by the party in general council in October.
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2024-01-24 02:01:06
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