Denis Coderre’s candidacy for Quebec Liberal leader denied

Former MP and Montreal mayor Denis Coderre speaks at a news conference, Friday, June 21, 2024 in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre’s candidacy for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) has been denied.

According to a message posted on X by the provincial political party, “the Electoral Committee has advised Mr. Coderre that it cannot consider his nomination paper permissible.”

It goes on to say that Coderre, a former federal MP, has the right to appeal the decision in front of the arbitration committee, “provided that he does so by written notice within five days of this decision.”

The message ends by stating that the electoral committee will offer no further comment.

The party’s leadership race began last month, and former federal minister Pablo Rodriguez is considered the front-runner for the job.

Other candidates include Charles Milliard, former CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, tax lawyer Marc Bélanger and Beauce farmer Mario Roy.

The PLQ has been without an official leader since the 2022 provincial election when then-leader Dominique Anglade resigned following the party’s disappointing results.

LaFontaine MNA Marc Tanguay has been acting as interim leader.

The new leader is expected to be announced on June 14.