Lowest turnout since 1927

      The deed is done, and fully 76% of the eligible voters ( 46% who did not show up and 33% who voted for the other parties ), rejected Charest and the Liberals. He called an election under false pretenses for Dec.8, when the weather would be a factor, because the media and the polls were trumpeting, that he will easily win a large majority, what, with the PQ with a new and untried leader with personality problems and the A.D.Q. slipping into oblivion. The result was that only 57%, voted. This is the lowest turnout since 1927( since then, turnout has been around 70% and in 2007 it was 71% ).This means that Charest got about 24% of the registered vote ( 42% ). This is not a mandate for change.

      His coterie is celebrating what they call his third straight victory, not done since Duplessis in 1952 ( he won four ),but they fail to note that Charest is the first premier not to win two consecutive majority since 1970 or that he is the first premier since 1878 to form a miniority gov't in 2007. What would make this historic, is if he has the " cojones " to acknowledge his debt to the Anglophone community, by including more than a token in his Cabinet, if he includes more women  and finally give representation to " les autres ", and open up the public service.

     His last majority ( 2003 ), was marked by his arrogance, being out of touch, selling off parts of Mt. Orford and too involved with " re-engineering ". He said that he has learnt from the past. How many of his myriad of promises will be shunted off, under the guise of the economic crisis? He said that he has changed. He has many former Robert Bourassa's advisers around him, so perhaps he will do things differently. Let's wait and see.

      The result had some good news. His majority will be thin. The Official Opposition will be able to hold him accountable. Mario, the sorcerer's apprentice, has been severely chastised and the Quebec Solidaire has had a breakthrough, electing their first member. This bodes well for the future.