Quebec liberal Party Plunged into Crisis as Leader Suspends Key Figure
A power struggle within the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) has reached a boiling point, with party leader Pablo Rodriguez removing Marwah Rizqy from her role as parliamentary leader and suspending her from the caucus due to a “breach of trust.” The move, announced late Tuesday morning, signals a important disruption for the opposition party and raises questions about its future direction. André Fortin will immediately assume the position of parliamentary leader, with Marc Tanguay taking over as whip.
The dramatic action,described by Rodriguez as “difficult but necessary,” aims to restore cohesion and ensure the proper functioning of the Liberal caucus within the National Assembly. The catalyst for the fallout appears to be Rizqy’s unexpected dismissal of her chief of staff, Geneviève hinse, without any prior consultation or notification to Rodriguez.
“It came as a total surprise to me. For caucus members, too. So in my opinion it is something very serious,” Rodriguez stated during a press scrum held Tuesday afternoon in Montreal. Sources within the party suggest the dismissal stemmed from a personality conflict between Rizqy and Hinse, though Rodriguez maintained that Rizqy offered no justification for the decision.
Hinse, a longtime associate of Rodriguez, previously supported his bid for the PLQ leadership when he transitioned from federal politics across the Ottawa River last year. She was also a Liberal candidate in the rosemont-La Petite-Patrie riding in 2019. The abruptness of her removal sent shockwaves through the party.
“She thinks she’s the boss,” commented a source familiar with the situation, reflecting the surprise and discontent within the PLQ. The declaration of Hinse’s termination was delivered to Liberal MPs via email Monday evening, stating that her employment with the leader’s office was “effective immediately.”
Rodriguez attempted to project an image of unity, asserting that the Liberal deputies are “100% behind him,” and downplaying the severity of the situation. “It’s a shame, because things are honestly going really well,” he added. However, he remained noncommittal regarding Rizqy’s potential return to the caucus, stating, “I have to think, she has to think too.” He also offered no clarity on whether hinse might be reinstated under fortin’s leadership, simply saying, “We’ll see. For the moment, I don’t know how Geneviève is doing. I think she must be suffering a lot at home.”
The crisis prompted Rodriguez to cancel a planned event in Outaouais and convene an emergency meeting with Rizqy at the party’s Montreal offices. Accompanied by PLQ president Rafael Primeau-Ferraro, Rodriguez engaged in a brief, fifteen-minute discussion with Rizqy, who afterward declined to comment. Primeau-Ferraro acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating, “It’s not a simple situation.”
Despite the current turmoil, rodriguez emphasized a previously amicable relationship with Rizqy. “I never had a conflict with her,” he affirmed. “He’s someone I really like on a personal level.” He had entrusted Rizqy with leading the official opposition following his own unsuccessful leadership bid, a position she assumed on June 19, previously held by Tanguay.
Rizqy had previously announced her intention not to seek re-election in 2026. When questioned about whether the current circumstances might accelerate her departure from politics, she offered no response. The future of the PLQ, and the roles of its key players, remain uncertain as the party navigates this internal conflict.
