Option nationale
| Option nationale | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Sol Zanetti |
| President | Nic Payne |
| Founded | 31 October 2011 |
| Split from | Parti Québécois |
| Headquarters | 2030, boul. Pie-IX, Bureau 219.1, Montréal, Québec, H1V 2C8 |
| Ideology |
Quebec sovereigntism, Quebec nationalism, Progressivism, Social democracy Social liberalism |
| Political position | Centre-left |
| Seats in the National Assembly |
0 / 125 |
| Website | |
| www.optionnationale.org | |
|
Politics of Quebec Political parties Elections | |
Option nationale is a provincial political party in Quebec, Canada. It was founded in 2011 by Jean-Martin Aussant, a member of the National Assembly (MNA) who had quit the Parti Québécois (PQ) earlier that year after being elected in 2008. It is a centre-left party which advocates the sovereignty of Quebec from Canada, and says a vote for Option nationale is an electoral mandate for full-fledged autonomy (de facto sovereignty), before a referendum to adopt the constitution of Quebec as an independent nation-state (de jure sovereignty).
The party originally planned to use the name "Option Québec", as a nod to René Lévesque's 1968 manifesto An Option for Quebec, but it was already taken by another group.[1]
In August 2011, before the party was founded, Aussant was courted by the Parti indépendantiste, with leader Eric Tremblay hoping to have his first Member of the National Assembly. Aussant refused however, saying he disagreed with the party's position on reducing immigration, as well as the view of the party that the 1995 referendum was lost because of "anglophone and ethnic votes". Aussant insists that economic fears propagated by federalists were responsible for the referendary defeat.[2]
Shortly after the creation of Option nationale, Lisette Lapointe, wife of former Quebec Premier Jacques Parizeau, acquired a membership card from the party, but decided to continue sitting as an independent until the end of her term.[3]
During the electoral campaign of the Quebec general election of 2012, bilingual journalist Dan Delmar of the National Post commented:
Although the party led by former Péquiste Jean-Martin Aussant is desperate to breakaway from Canada, he is going about the project in a civilized manner. Aussant speaks near-perfect English, which is uncommon for post-Bernard Landry sovereignist leaders. And in a somewhat stunning development, he posted a YouTube video pitching sovereignty to Anglophones — in English! His brand of inclusive sovereignty is refreshing.[4]
On June 19, 2013, Jean-Martin Aussant resigned as leader of Option nationale, and Nathaly Dufour became interim leader. On October 26, 2013 Sol Zanetti became the new leader of Option nationale.[5]
Election results
| Election | Seats won | Seats available | Popular vote | Popular vote (%) | Legislative role | Party leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 0 | 120 | 82,535 | 1.89% | No representation in National Assembly | Jean-Martin Aussant |
References
- ↑ Former PQ MNA files papers to start sovereignist party The Gazette
- ↑ Bussières, Ian. "Jean-Martin Aussant dit oui au pays, mais non au Parti indépendantiste". Le Soleil. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ↑ Lapointe joins Option nationale, but will still sit as an independent The Gazette
- ↑ Tout le Quebec en parle: On anglo-sovereignty, fighting corruption and immigrants The National Post
- ↑ "Sol Zanetti nouveau chef d'Option nationale" (in French). Radio-Canada. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
External links
- Option nationale website (French only)
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