Philippe Couillard's Quebec Liberal party has come out victorious after winning a majority government in the provincial election. The party's victory simply translates into the defeat and resignation of Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois.
The Liberals won 70 of the legislature's 125 seats, whereas the PQ garnered 30. The Coalition Avenir Quebec won 22 seats and Quebec Solidaire took three.
"My dear friends, the division is over. The reconciliation has begun," Couillard stated to supporters Monday night. "We are all Quebecers. The pride in Quebec, of our identity, our language and our flag belongs to all Quebecers."
Marois announced in a speech that she will step down as PQ leader and said, "Quebecers have spoken and we must respect this result." She further added, "We had so much to offer, so much to accomplish for Quebecers."
The 18 month tenure of PQ witnessed the controversial values charter which aimed at preventing public sector workers from wearing "ostentatious" religious symbols.
Meanwhile, Marois had maintained before the elections that she is optimistic about her party winning the elections. However, after the results were announced, Marois said she was proud of her government's 18-month run.
