The Parti Québécois (PQ) leadership race is heating up.
The PQ is in Gatineau, Que. for a pre-session caucus but they are hardly united. Instead all eyes are on the candidates who are vying to replace Pierre Karl Péladeau at the head of the party.
READ MORE: Pierre Karl Péladeau quits PQ leadership, politics
Now that Véronique Hivon has dropped out of the race for health reasons, the five MNAs that supported her say they’re being wooed by the remaining candidates and are enjoying the attention.
“We’re being hit on,” laughed Carole Poirier “And we like it, who doesn’t like that?”
PQ candidate Jean-François Lisée admitted that the race was on.
“Clearly now 5 MNA’s are shopping around for a candidate that is most close to their own positions. During my campaign, I had approved many of the platforms and proposals of Veronique.”
Both Lisée and Martine Ouellet, would like the support of the MNAs — neither of whom have any caucus support.
READ MORE: A Quebec constitution? PQ leadership candidate Martine Ouellet says ‘yes’
Ouellet said her number one priority is a referendum on independence in the first mandate of a PQ government. She was in the middle of making her announcement when there was a loud interruption from her opponent, apparent front-runner, Alexandre Cloutier.
Ouellet deplored the incident chalking it up to a dated political style.
“I think it’s his way to do politics. It’s something like ‘old politics’ and that’s kind of sad for young men,” she said.
Cloutier defended his grand entrance saying it had a different purpose.
“What I’m saying is that I work with a team and we have a lot of experience on our team, we have a lot of great knowledge and I want to work with them.”
Cloutier has come under fire for allegedly preventing other candidates from reaching out to members in ridings that support him.
READ MORE: PQ leadership candidates accuse front-runner of playing dirty
Paul St. Pierre Plamondon, the only candidate who is not an MNA, said the PQ needs to put new reforms in place to prevent the “establishment” candidate from having an unfair advantage.
“That’s why I’m asking an access to all members,” he said. “I want to be, in a certain way, judged on merits.
Even though Cloutier has long been in the lead, the other candidates say this is anyone’s race to win.
The outcome of that race will be determined Oct. 7.