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Leader of Quebec independence movement resigns

Xinhua, May 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

Pierre Karl Peladeau on Monday resigned as leader of the Parti Quebecois in the Canadian province of Quebec, leaving the province's independence movement searching for a new head, according to Canadian TV.

Peladeau told a news conference in French in Montreal on Monday that he made the decision for family reasons.

"I had to make a difficult choice between my family and our political project. I make this decision for the well-being of my children," he said.

Peladeau married Julie Snyder, his girlfriend of more than 15 years and a popular Quebec television producer and host, last August. However, they announced their separation in January this year.

Snyder said that politics has strained their relationship and that she hoped they could serve as examples to their two kids.

Peladeau said he also quitted his post as a Member of the National Assembly for Saint-Jerome. He said the party will meet quickly to find an interim leader.

But he added that "I will remain a Parti Quebecois militant. I am convinced that the future of Quebec and Quebecers will be the independence of our nation."

The resignation of Peladeau is "a big loss" for the independent movement of Quebec, said Alain Gagnon, a political science professor at the University of Quebec, adding "he brought credibility to the movement and he indicated that independence was possible for a prosperous Quebec."

Peladeau replaced Pauline Marois last May, one year after the party was reduced from leading a minority government to opposition status.

The 2014 election saw the Parti Quebecois slip to just 30 seats, far behind the Liberals, who took 70, and just ahead of the Coalition Avenir Quebec, which won 22.

After taking the leadership, his first words were that he would settle for nothing less than an independent Quebec.

Much of the leadership campaign and the past year have focused on his steadfast refusal to sell his shares in Quebecor, a communications conglomerate in which he remains as the controlling shareholder. Endi