Jacinthe-Ève Arel says Quebec’s October 5 election marked a major political realignment, with the Parti québécois forming a minority government and the Conservative Party of Quebec making its first significant breakthrough at the legislature.
Arel made the assessment during a public discussion in Quebec City on October 20, where she joined commentator Frank Fournier and political scientist Jean-François Caron to examine the election’s results and what they could mean for the province’s next government.
The event, titled “Élections 2026: Changement de régime ou continuité?”, was held at LaScène Lebourgneuf.
Organizers billed the discussion as an examination of the new government, the changing political landscape and whether the result represented a genuine change in direction.
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Jacinthe-Ève Arel reflects on the election result
Arel, a former Parti conservateur du Québec candidate and current political commentator, said the campaign appeared to create more space for conservative voices than the party received during the 2022 election.
She also pointed to the role of constitutional and referendum concerns in shaping the vote.
In her assessment, the debate over Quebec sovereignty helped the Conservative party attract support from voters who were uneasy about the prospect of another referendum.
The event came 15 days after Quebecers voted in an election that ended the Coalition avenir Québec’s majority-government era.
Official results show the Parti québécois won 59 seats, followed by the Quebec Liberal Party with 40, the Conservative Party of Quebec with 19 and Québec solidaire with nine.
The CAQ won no seats.
A minority government faces immediate pressure
The Parti québécois won the most seats but fell short of the 64 required for a majority in Quebec’s 127-seat National Assembly.
That leaves the new government dependent on negotiations with opposition parties to pass legislation and maintain confidence.
The result also gives the Conservative Party of Quebec a much larger parliamentary presence than it had before the vote.
Its 19 elected members finished behind the Liberals in seats but ahead of Québec solidaire, creating a more fragmented opposition landscape.
Élections Québec recorded turnout of 66.93 per cent, with 4,347,703 ballots cast.
The Parti québécois received 28.02 per cent of valid votes, while the Liberals received 24.23 per cent and the Conservatives received 20.66 per cent.
Political debate continues after election day
The Quebec City panel also examined what the election could mean for the sovereignty debate, the future of the CAQ and the Conservative party’s ability to maintain momentum beyond the campaign.
Arel said the turnout at the event, which drew attendees from outside the Quebec City region, gave her encouragement about public interest in political discussion.
The panel’s format allowed the speakers to compare campaign strategy, party performance and the challenges facing a minority government.
The event was part of a broader series of public conversations that have followed the October 5 election.
The official event listing described the discussion as an opportunity to look beyond the immediate headlines and assess whether Quebec had experienced a change of government, a broader political realignment or both.
What comes next in Quebec politics
The new government’s first major test will be its ability to advance legislation while securing support from at least one opposition party.
The Liberals, Conservatives and Québec solidaire each hold enough seats to influence votes, but their policy priorities differ significantly.
The election results also leave the CAQ without a seat in the National Assembly, a rare outcome for a governing party that held 90 seats after the 2022 election.
The Conservatives, meanwhile, will face pressure to translate their campaign gains into a durable parliamentary organization.
For Arel, the immediate post-election period is likely to remain focused on the balance between sovereignty, economic policy, public services and the practical demands of governing without a majority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jacinthe-Ève Arel?
Jacinthe-Ève Arel is a Quebec political commentator, radio host and former Parti conservateur du Québec candidate.
What did Jacinthe-Ève Arel discuss after the 2026 Quebec election?
She discussed the election’s political realignment, the Conservative breakthrough and the challenges facing Quebec’s new minority government.
When was the post-election panel held?
The panel was held on October 20, 2026, at LaScène Lebourgneuf in Quebec City.
How many seats did the Parti québécois win?
The Parti québécois won 59 of the National Assembly’s 127 seats, leaving it short of a majority.
How many seats did the Conservative Party of Quebec win?
The Conservative Party of Quebec won 19 seats in the October 5, 2026 election.
Fact-Checked: The official event listing confirms the panel date as October 20, 2026, with doors at 6:30 p.m. and the event scheduled from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Quebec City. Élections Québec confirms the election date as October 5, 2026. ([lepointdevente.com](https://lepointdevente.com/billets/scl261020001?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: Political interpretations attributed to Jacinthe-Ève Arel and other panel participants reflect analysis and are not predictions of future election outcomes.