PQ Leader Favored to Win Quebec Election, Pledges Independence Referendum

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti Québécois, is favored to become Quebec's next premier in the October 5 provincial election. He has promised to hold a referendum on Quebec independence before the end of his term, a significant shift in Canadian federal politics. The outcome remains uncertain until votes are counted, but a PQ victory would likely trigger renewed sovereignty debates and potential constitutional tensions with Ottawa.