Christine Fréchette, Bernard Drainville in race to become CAQ leader, Quebec premier

It’s shaping up to be a two-person race for the leadership of the Coalition Avenir Québec as the party seeks to replace Premier François Legault.

Christine Fréchette, who held the economy portfolio, and Bernard Drainville, who was environment minister, announced over the weekend they intend to run for the leadership. Party rules require both of them to step aside from cabinet while they are leadership candidates.

The upcoming race is the first in the CAQ’s history, as Legault co-founded the party in 2011 and has served as its only leader. After more than seven years in power, Legault announced on Jan. 15 he would step down after the CAQ chooses his replacement, which will happen on April 12. The winner would also become premier until the October 2026 provincial election.

Legault wished both candidates the best in a statement posted to his X account on Monday.

“A leadership race is a demanding exercise, both personally and politically. It is even more so when one becomes premier of Quebec,” Legault wrote. “Christine and Bernard, I wish you a campaign worthy of your talents, conducted with rigour and integrity, in the best interests of Quebecers.”

The party officially launched its leadership race on Jan. 22 with strict rules: candidates must collect signatures from 1,000 party members from at least 75 ridings, including 15 legislature members and 100 members of the party’s youth wing. There is also a $30,000 non-refundable fee and $150,000 campaign spending cap. The period to announce a candidacy runs until Feb. 21.

Here are brief profiles of Fréchette and Drainville:

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Several potential candidates have said they won’t seek the leadership:

Jean-François Simard, natural resources minister; Simon Jolin-Barrette, justice minister and CAQ house leader; François Bonnardel, former cabinet minister; Ian Lafrenière, public security and Indigenous affairs minister; Eric Girard, finance minister; Sonia LeBel, education minister; Geneviève Guilbault, municipal affairs minister; and Christopher Skeete, international relations minister.

Olivier Primeau, a Quebec entrepreneur, announced on Jan. 16 he would not add his name to the list of potential successors to Legault, saying he has personal and entrepreneurial projects he wishes to see through.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2026.

By Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press