New Coalition Avenir Québec leader and Quebec premier will be chosen April 12

By Canadian Press on January 22, 2026.

QUÉBEC — The Coalition Avenir Québec will choose Premier François Legault’s successor on April 12.

The party says the leadership race starts today and candidates have until Feb. 21 to submit their application.

To enter the race, candidates must get signatures from 1,000 party members from at least 75 ridings, including 15 legislature members and 100 members of the party’s youth wing.

The party says voting will be conducted by telephone using a system in which voters rank their choices in order of preference.

Legault said last week that he would step down as party leader and premier after a successor is named.

No candidate has officially come forward, but ministers Simon Jolin-Barrette, Bernard Drainville and Christine Fréchette are among those who have confirmed they’re considering a run.

Ministers who decide to run will have to relinquish their portfolios.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2026.

Thomas Laberge, The Canadian Press

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