Pablo Rodriguez has stepped down as leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, just six months after winning the leadership, following weeks of internal unrest and mounting controversy.
Sources confirm Rodriguez informed his caucus of the decision on Wednesday and is expected to address the media publicly. Insiders say he concluded that his leadership had become a distraction and was damaging the party’s prospects.
His resignation comes less than a year before Quebec’s next provincial election, with the separatist Parti Québécois currently leading in the polls. Pressure on Rodriguez intensified this week after allegations emerged involving illegal campaign donation reimbursements at a fundraising event. While the party confirmed Rodriguez attended the event, it denies he or his team were aware of any wrongdoing.
The crisis within the party began in November with internal disputes and worsened after reports of an alleged pay-for-votes scheme during the leadership race, now under investigation by Quebec’s anti-corruption police. Rodriguez has denied any knowledge of those allegations.
A former federal cabinet minister, Rodriguez left Ottawa politics in early 2025 to lead the Quebec Liberals. His sudden exit leaves the party without a leader at a critical moment, as it struggles to rebuild and present a credible alternative ahead of the October 2026 election.