“To stay or not to stay, that is the question” — one that Premier François Legault may be contemplating during the summer break, leading into the final year of his second four-year mandate.

At the conclusion of the parliamentary session last week, Legault — facing questions about his future — insisted he will lead his Coalition Avenir Québec into the October 2026 election. “We got a strong four-year mandate,” he said, adding it will be up to Quebecers to choose.

Legault has every right to soldier on, and despite consistently bad polls, which are a snapshot in time, may believe things can change. But will they?

Legault seems very much supported by his caucus; there haven’t been murmurs or backstabbers lurking in the shadows. However, as the election gets closer and MNAs spend more time in their ridings this summer, they might start hearing complaints or vitriol from their constituents — and the writing on the wall may become more legible.

Last week, Legault maintained “it’s not easy for all governments........

© Montreal Gazette