In the brutal arena of Quebec politics, Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez finds himself wounded and besieged, with one path forward for his party's survival: his resignation. This is the stark conclusion of political commentator and former MNA Robert Libman, who penned a forceful analysis published on December 5, 2025.
A Crisis Born of Internal Strife
The turmoil began several weeks ago, when Marwah Rizqy, the party's acting parliamentary leader, made a decisive and disruptive move. Without informing leader Pablo Rodriguez, Rizqy fired her chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse, a close associate of Rodriguez. The reasons remained undisclosed, instantly fueling a media frenzy and speculation about possible impropriety.
Libman notes that this action was particularly damaging given the working relationships involved. As parliamentary leader, Rizqy's role was to lead question period, a task for which she would have coordinated strategy with Rodriguez. Hinse, while employed by Rizqy, would have worked closely with both. The failure to consult Rodriguez on such a key personnel decision was a profound breach of political protocol.
Speculation Magnifies the Damage
Rizqy's radio silence after the firing allowed speculation to fester. This vacuum was quickly filled by other allegations surfacing in the following days, including anonymous text messages and anecdotes hinting at rule-bending during Rodriguez's own leadership campaign. Political opponents seized the opportunity to paint the entire episode as evidence of corrupt Liberal practices.
Rodriguez responded aggressively to the crisis, positioning himself in front of cameras to answer a barrage of questions. Some critics, however, felt he appeared too anxious or verbose in his defence. Libman points out the impossible position this created: had Rodriguez been less accessible, he would have been accused of opacity and allowing rumours to run wild.
The Unforgiving Logic of Political Survival
While Libman states he believes Rodriguez when he says he was unaware of any wrongdoing, the damage is already done. Suspicion has splattered both the leader and the Quebec Liberal Party, creating what Libman describes as political "bloodstains." The internal investigation launched by Rodriguez, while necessary, is unlikely to cleanse the party's image in time.
The stakes are monumental. All current indicators point toward a victory for the Parti Québécois in next year's election, a result that would reignite debates over sovereignty and a potential referendum. The Liberals' path to victory was already steep, with questions about Rodriguez's appeal in critical francophone regions. This crisis, initiated by a caucus member Rizqy—who had already announced she would not seek re-election—has made that path appear impassable with Rodriguez at the helm.
When Rodriguez expelled Rizqy from caucus this week, he declared that "no one is above the party." Libman argues the leader must now heed his own words. For the party to recover and mount a credible challenge to the PQ, Rodriguez must accept his fate as a casualty of Quebec's unforgiving political sport and step aside, even if he is personally innocent. Time is running short for the Liberals to reset and refocus before the next election.