François Legault's rise and fall as Quebec premier

Legault founded his Coalition Avenir Québec party in 2011. There is no obvious successor

By Philip Authier  •  Montreal Gazette
Published Jan 14, 2026
Last updated Jan 14, 2026
7 minute read
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Premier François Legault holds a press conference in Montreal on Fri., March 24, 2023. He announced his resignation as premier and CAQ leader on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Premier François Legault holds a press conference in Montreal on Fri., March 24, 2023. He announced his resignation as premier and CAQ leader on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

QUEBEC — In the end, the prospect of the looming train wreck became too much to bear.

Premier François Legault finally put an end Wednesday to months of speculation about his future, announcing his resignation as premier and leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, a party he founded 14 years ago as an alternative to the Liberals and Parti Québécois.

Legault made the announcement at the provincial legislature in the late morning, saying that “being the premier of Quebec was the greatest honour of my life.”