A new poll suggests Quebecers are ready to be ruled by a party that doesn't even exist yet.

The survey by Leger Marketing puts a possible right-of centre coalition led by former Parti Quebecois cabinet minister Francois Legault at number one in the polls.

The group, which currently has no name and no platform, would set aside the issue of Quebec separation to focus on economic issues.

The poll, made public Wednesday, asked "If provincial elections were held today, which party would you vote for?" The polls supposed that a "new party" would be led by Legault and would be right of centre.

The results:

  • New party:                    30%
  • Parti Quebecois:            27%
  • Liberal:                          25%
  • Action Democratique:      7%
  • Quebec Solidaire:            6%
  • Green:                             4%
  • Other:                             6%

The Parti Quebec would stand to lose the most votes, at 12 per cent.

"When you look at those numbers, Mme. Marois would lose a third of her support," said political analyst Jean Lapierre, who said the message sent by this poll is clear.

"I think people are sick and tired of the Liberals because they've been in power for three mandates, and they don't want the PQ."

Legault has also earned the highest approval rating, beating Marois and more than doubling the popularity of Premier Jean Charest.

  • Francois Legault:     54%
  • Pauline Marois:       38%
  • Jean Charest:          23%

The ADQ stepped into a similar vacuum in 2007, when Mario Dumont's right-of-centre party surged past the PQ and knocked the Liberals into minority territory. The ADQ has since run out of gas, losing all but four seats in the provincial legislature.

"Now Francois Legault has the same vacuum in front of him, but he has the experience Mario has not as a minister and as a big figure on the scene," said Pierre-Paul Noreau, editorial chief of Quebec newspaper Le Soleil.

Though it would be difficult for Francois Legault to put together a full slate of candidates in time for the next election, say experts, Legault has already sent a strong message to the existing parties.

Noreau said he believes Legault could make serious inroads, provided he sticks to his promise to avoid the issue of separation.

"You know, there is something about sovereignty. People are tired of talking about it," he said.

Legault is expected to release a policy outline within weeks.