After months of teasing, former Parti Quebecois minister Francois Legault has announced that not only will he launch a new political party, but it will be ready to field candidates this fall should a provincial election be called.
However if Premier Jean Charest, as expected, waits another two years before calling an election, Legault says he will be campaigning the entire time.
Legault's preference is to continue with what he has already been doing with his Coalition for the Future of Quebec: spreading his ideas about smaller government, smaller debt, and eliminating all talk of sovereignty.
"It's about time that we move in Quebec, that we stop being in the same place so I think that's what we want," said Legault.
Analysts say there is a huge appetite for change in Quebec.
Pierre-Paul Noreau, chief editorialist for Le Soleil, says people are putting their hopes on Legault.
"There's nothing sure for now in politics in Quebec. What will happen? If Mister Legault is able to attract people with good speeches, presence, everything is possible," said Noreau.
Independent MNA Marc Picard, who quit the ADQ in 2009, is willing to join forces with Legault.
"I am available," and MNAs from all parties are thinking about making the jump, said Picard.
Meanwhile Legault may be getting some unsolicited help from a former colleague.
Pauline Marois, leader of the PQ, appeared to have patched things over last week after a near-revolt within her caucus, but that war has continued unabated in print.
Former premier Jacques Parizeau wrote an open letter in Le Devoir blasting Marois.
Then a dozen so-called 'young' pequistes, with the backing of Marois, wrote that Parizeau should stop interfering with the current leadership.
Parizeau then wrote back, saying he did not appreciate being told to shut up.
"It's a very very serious and deep problem, you know, having Mister Parizeau against you," said Noreau.
