Parti indépendantiste

The Parti indépendantiste is a political party promoting the independence of Quebec from Canada.

Origin

It was founded in 2007 [ [http://www.parti-independantiste.org/ Party website] ] in the wake of the 2007 electoral defeat of the sovereigntist Parti Québécois (PQ) that made them a third party in the National Assembly of Quebec. The arrival of Pauline Marois at the PQ's helm also contributed to the creation of a new Parti indépendantiste.

The fledging organization has much publicized its creation on the Quebec independence website Vigile.net (however, the site's webmaster has since then stated his disapproval of the party's strategy). It was registered as an official political party by the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec on October 18, 2007. [ [http://www.electionsquebec.qc.ca/fr/ppc_liste_partis_candidats.asp?sect=prov#texte Elections Quebec] ] The group also uses the acronym "PI", which is pronounced "pays" (country) in French.

Beliefs

According to leader Éric Tremblay, the PQ has given up the will to actively seek the sovereignty of Quebec. Tremblay considers that, if given a majority of seats at the National Assembly of Quebec, the "Parti indépendantiste" will have clear mandate to achieve sovereignty, even if it receives less than 50% of the popular vote.

upport

The "Parti indépendantiste" has attracted a number of supporters with name recognition. They include:

* Author Victor-Lévy Beaulieu; Beaulieu is a disillusioned Parti Québécois supporter. He voted for the Action démocratique du Québec (ADQ) in protest in the 2007 Quebec election, but has grown disappointed with the party since then. He has announced on April 15, 2008 his intention to run for the "Parti indépendantiste" in the district of Rivière-du-Loup against ADQ leader Mario Dumont; [ [http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/est-quebec/2008/04/15/006-parti-independantiste_n.asp Radio-Canada 15 April 2008] ] [ [http://www.vigile.net/Pourquoi-j-adhere-au-Parti Vigile.net] ]
* Former Bloc Québécois Member of Parliament Ghislain Lebel; Lebel announced that he will be a "Parti indépendantiste" candidate on April 30, 2008;
* Humorist Ghislain Taschereau;

Leaders of the Parti indépendantiste

* Éric Tremblay (2008-)

Election results

None yet. Currently running in three by-elections in Bourget, Hull, and Pointe-aux-Trembles. Voting for the three by-elections will be held on May 12, 2008. [ [http://www.monvote.qc.ca/partielles/fr/ monvote.qc.ca] ] [ [http://www.vigile.net/Le-Parti-independantiste-fera-ses Le Parti indépendantiste fera ses premières armes aux élections partielles, May 10, 2008] ]

ee also

* Politics of Quebec
* List of Quebec general elections
* List of Quebec premiers
* List of Quebec leaders of the Opposition
* National Assembly of Quebec
* Timeline of Quebec history
* Political parties in Quebec
* Secessionist movements of Canada

References

External links

* [http://www.parti-independantiste.org/ Official party website]
* [http://www.quebecpolitique.com/ La Politique québécoise sur le Web]