The Parti Quebecois has chosen Sylvain Gaudreault as its interim leader.
The decision was made at a Friday meeting that was hastily called after Pierre Karl Peladeau, who was chosen as the party's leader less than one year ago, stepped down on Monday.
MNA Agnes Maltais, who also wanted to be interim leader, will remain as deputy House Leader.
So far no MNA has publicly declared they wish to run in a race to be the new permanent leader of the PQ, although many have expressed interest in several possible candidates including Veronique Hivon, Alexandre Cloutier, and Jean-Francois Lisée.
Former Finance Nicolas Marceau and Martine Ouellet have also suggested they will run to become leader, although Bernard Drainville, who challenged Peladeau last year, said he will prefer to remain House Leader for the party.
The two frontrunners are considered to be Hivon and Cloutier.
Hivon is best known for shepherding the right-to-die legislation through the National Assembly while the PQ and the Liberals were in party.
She did not run against Peladeau last year, but wouldn't rule it out now.
"For some very personal circumstances the last time I decided not to run. It was the best decision for my family. Now those circumstances have changed so everything is possible," said Hivon.
Cloutier ran against Peladeau last year, coming in second with Hivon supporting her colleague.
Cloutier said Friday morning that he has decided whether or not he will run, but will not make an announcement until the time is right.
He said that no matter what happens, he will work with Hivon.
"I've been working with Veronique in every condition, the good one, and really really bad one, and we've always been able to be friends and work together," said Cloutier.
Faced with the possibility of facing Hivon, Cloutier said the rivalry would be professional, not personal.
"Everyone knows that we have a special relationship. Of course it makes this situation a bit special, there's no doubt about that. We call it a bit Shakespearean. At the end of the day we'll work together," he said.
Neither the rules for the leadership race, nor the timeline, have been set as of yet.
