El-Khoury Disputes Role in PLQ Leadership Campaign, Focus Shifts to Daughter’s Political Aspirations
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The discussion between federal Liberal MP fayçal El-Khoury and Marwah Rizqy on November 14 has become a central point of contention in the ongoing crisis within the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ), prompting scrutiny from the Director General of Elections of Quebec (DGEQ). El-Khoury is now offering his account of the events, maintaining his limited involvement in pablo Rodriguez’s leadership bid while revealing his hopes for his daughter’s future in provincial politics.
Fundraising Admission and Denials of Direct Interference
el-Khoury conceded to providing assistance with fundraising for Rodriguez’s campaign, but vehemently denied any involvement in procuring membership cards to influence the leadership vote. “I helped Pablo when they asked me, his people, that he was going to do an event,” he stated, adding that he connected the campaign with individuals who contributed $500 checks. however, he insisted his support ended there.”Other than that, I was never involved,” he affirmed.
This clarification comes after reports surfaced indicating El-Khoury possessed a PLQ canvasser’s certificate and actively solicited donations during the leadership race. Initially,the federal MP for Laval – Les Îles,first elected in 2015,denied any discussion regarding the leadership campaign during a previous interview. He now claims any ambiguity stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding the focus of questioning. “I understood that the purpose of your call was if I was involved in collecting membership cards to vote for Pablo. And that’s why I said I was never involved,” he explained.
The Triggering Conversation with Marwah Rizqy
The catalyst for the current turmoil within the PLQ appears to be a conversation between El-Khoury and Rizqy on November 14, during the inauguration of the Deux-Montagnes branch of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM).According to El-Khoury, the discussion centered on Rizqy’s impending departure from politics and the potential for his daughter, jade El-Khoury, a lawyer, to follow in her footsteps.
“I said: ‘I learned that you are going to leave politics, it’s unfortunate, the party needs you,'” El-Khoury recounted. “I said: ‘Marwah,Jade El-Khoury,she is inspired by you and woudl like to be in politics too. How are you leaving now, it’s not the time?'” He further stated he has explicitly encouraged his daughter to seek a PLQ candidacy “anywhere in Laval.” A member of rodriguez’s team corroborated this account, reporting El-khoury expressed his desire for his daughter to be considered as a candidate, highlighting her legal background.
DGEQ Scrutiny and Legal Disputes
The exchange between El-Khoury and Rizqy has attracted the attention of the DGEQ, raising concerns about potential irregularities related to Rodriguez’s leadership campaign. The nature of the DGEQ’s inquiry remains unclear. geneviève Hinse, who is currently suing Rizqy for wrongful dismissal from her position as chief of staff on November 17, stated through a spokesperson that Rizqy did not disclose the conversation with El-Khoury and is unaware of any DGEQ investigation.
The unfolding situation underscores the internal divisions within the PLQ and raises questions about the integrity of the recent leadership race. While El-Khoury maintains his limited role, the DGEQ’s involvement and the broader context of political maneuvering suggest a more complex narrative is still developing. the focus now shifts to the potential political future of Jade El-Khoury and whether she will pursue a candidacy within the fractured Quebec Liberal Party.
