QUEBEC CITY - Quebec Premier Jean Charest is denying suggestions he will call a snap election this fall to take advantage of the turmoil within the Parti Quebecois.

Speculation has been growing that Charest might pull the election trigger, barely two-and-a-half years into his mandate.

But Charest moved to cut short that speculation on the final day of the parliamentary session, telling reporters that such speculation isn't coming from him.

"There will be no election this fall," he said. "There never was a question of having an election this fall. We're at mid-mandate."

Charest said he's surprised to hear PQ Leader Pauline Marois suggesting there might be elections in the fall.

He said she's desperate, and  raised the prospect of an imminent election to keep her party united behind her.

Marois has, of course, had a rough week as PQ leader. Four MNAs quit the caucus and the party took an eight point hit in the polls.

With what's left of her caucus standing behind her, she told reporters Friday:

"If tomorrow we will have another congress, i will receive again 92, 93, 94 percent approval of my leadership. I can say that."

Marois got a 93 per cent approval rating during a mid-April confidence vote, but much has changed in the months since.

Political analysts say in terms of timing, this may be as good as it gets for Charest. Former PQ cabinet minister Francois Legault is apparently not yet ready to set up his own right-leaning party, and while the fires may have been put out at the PQ, the party has been shaken.

For the first time in a long time, the Liberals appear to have an edge.

"We control a lot of things," he said.

Other things we don't. What happens in other political parties I don't control."

The ADQ, meanwhile, appears to be stalling in the polls, as voters wait to check out Francois Legault's new party.

But ADQ Leader Gerard Deltell insisted his party is gathering steam.

"I'm not the hostage of Mister Legault's decision," he said. "I'm acting by myself with all the party I represent."

with files from The Canadian Press