One of the most prominent figures of the Quebec student movement is now running for a seat in the national assembly as a Parti Quebecois candidate.
Leo Bureau-Blouin, the 20-year-old former leader of the CEGEP student federation, formally announced his jump to politics at a news conference Wednesday, flanked by PQ Leader Pauline Marois.
Bureau-Blouin, who for months led the protests against tuition hikes and regularly appeared on TV and in newspapers defending the strikes and demonstrations that paralyzed Montreal, said the decision to run for PQ was not an easy one, but he鈥檚 worried 鈥渁bout the consequences of the Liberals being re-elected.鈥�
He was immediately questioned about the absence of the felt red square on his jacket -- a symbol of the student uprising he had worn in all other public appearances.
"I think everyone knows my position on tuition fees,鈥� Bureau-Blouin said. 鈥淚 think that with or without a red square, we can make Quebec one of the nations where education is the most affordable in the world.鈥�
Many political observers interpreted it as an attempt by Bureau-Blouin and the PQ not to alienate voters who support Premier Jean Charest鈥檚 decision to increase tuition fees.
PQ party members stopped wearing the red squares in June, when Marois said she would be replacing hers with the fleur-de-lis for Quebec鈥檚 Fete nationale.
Bureau-Blouin said his objective is 鈥渢o represent all of the voters in the riding鈥� of Laval-des-Rapides, a Liberal stronghold north of Montreal.
The provincial election is expected to be called next week and held on Sept. 4.
Bureau-Blouin鈥檚 charisma, youth and intelligence could make him the star PQ candidate, some observers say.
But critics were quick to point out that his youth can also be a disadvantage -- some people in the suburban riding told CTV Montreal he seems too inexperienced to represent them.
If elected, Bureau-Blouin would become the youngest-ever member of the national assembly.
鈥淚 know that my candidacy is not typical,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I sincerely feel it can have a positive impact on the involvement of youth in politics.鈥�
Marois said Bureau-Blouin's actions during the student crisis show that he can handle himself in tough situations, despite his youth.
"You've seen Mr. Blouin during the last student conflict and he has always shown a good attitude; he's wise and he's intelligent and I think he'll be an important member of our team during this election," she said.
If elected, Bureau-Blouin said he plans to study law part-time while serving as an MNA.
His announcement was also met with criticism from within the student movement Wednesday.
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, an equally recognizable face as the spokesperson for the more radical student group CLASSE, told 麻豆影视 Channel that his organization will stay out of party politics throughout the election campaign.
鈥淲e have very, very strict principles on independence toward all the political parties. That鈥檚 why we will never, never support one party or another,鈥� Nadeau-Dubois said, adding that he will not run for a seat as long as he鈥檚 a CLASSE spokesman, even if a political party approaches him.
鈥淢y place is with my fellow students in the classes and on the streets,鈥� he said.
With a report from CTV Montreal and files from The Canadian Press
