marwah rizqy

The Unraveling of a Political Alliance: Inside Marwah Rizqy’s Expulsion and Pablo Rodriguez’s Resignation

By CA News Desk
Last Updated: December 18, 2025

In a dramatic week for Quebec politics, the fragile truce within the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) has shattered. The sequence of events, which saw the resignation of party leader Pablo Rodriguez and the definitive expulsion of MNA Marwah Rizqy, marks a critical juncture for the opposition party as it heads toward the 2026 provincial elections.

What began as an internal dispute over staffing has escalated into a full-blown crisis, resulting in the loss of the party’s leader and one of its most prominent Montreal voices. This article breaks down the verified timeline, the background context, and what this political upheaval means for the future of the Quebec Liberal Party.

A Crisis of Trust: The Main Narrative

The turmoil centers on two high-profile figures: Pablo Rodriguez, the Leader of the Opposition, and Marwah Rizqy, the MNA for Saint-Laurent and a former parliamentary leader. Tensions boiled over in mid-December 2025, leading to a rapid series of resignations and expulsions that have left the party reeling.

According to verified reports from La Presse and TVA Nouvelles, the conflict reached its breaking point when Rodriguez announced his resignation on December 17, 2025. His departure was precipitated by internal pressure and a looming police investigation into the party's leadership race. However, the immediate catalyst for the current chaos was the treatment of Marwah Rizqy.

Rodriguez chose to "know when to leave before being swept away," as noted in Le Journal de Montréal. But before exiting, he made a decisive move: expelling Rizqy from the caucus. This action effectively severed ties with a key MNA, signaling the end of any attempt to unify the party ahead of the next election.

The Timeline of Events: From Suspension to Expulsion

To understand the current situation, it is essential to look at the chronological chain of events that led to this political rupture. The conflict did not happen overnight; it was two weeks in the making.

The Initial Conflict

The friction began earlier in December when Marwah Rizqy fired her chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse. This decision reportedly caught the party leadership off guard and led to Rizqy’s initial suspension from the caucus. The party leadership described the move as a "breach of trust," setting the stage for a standoff.

The Escalation

While suspended, Rizqy remained vocal. As reported by the Montreal Gazette, she spoke out publicly, defending her decision to dismiss her chief of staff. This public defiance likely hardened the leadership's stance against her. Despite calls for reconciliation, the relationship between Rizqy and Rodriguez deteriorated.

The Final Blow: December 17, 2025

On December 17, the dominoes fell rapidly: 1. Pablo Rodriguez Resigns: Facing a potential criminal investigation by the anti-corruption police (UPAC) regarding allegations of possible vote-buying during the leadership race, Rodriguez announced he would step down as leader. 2. Marwah Rizqy Expelled: Coinciding with Rodriguez's resignation, the party confirmed that Rizqy had been permanently booted from the caucus. TVA Nouvelles highlighted that Rizqy published a "mise au point" (a statement clarifying her position) shortly after, underscoring the deep divisions.

Rodriguez’s statement, as quoted in Le Journal de Montréal, was poignant: "I am choosing to know how to leave before being swept away." This resignation was an admission that the internal conflicts and external investigations had made his leadership untenable.

Contextual Background: A Party Under Siege

While the Rizqy-Rodriguez feud is the immediate headline, it is symptomatic of deeper issues within the Quebec Liberal Party. To fully grasp the significance of these events, one must look at the broader political landscape and the history of the PLQ’s leadership struggles.

The Shadow of the UPAC Investigation

The resignation of Pablo Rodriguez cannot be viewed in isolation. Supplementary research indicates that the Quebec Liberal Party is facing a criminal investigation by the anti-corruption police (UPAC). The focus of this investigation is alleged vote-buying during the leadership contest that initially brought Rodriguez to power.

This context is crucial. Rodriguez was already fighting to retain his credibility when the internal dispute with Rizqy erupted. The combination of external legal pressure and internal rebellion created a "perfect storm" that forced his exit.

The Role of Marwah Rizqy

Marwah Rizqy has been a rising star in the Quebec Liberal Party since her election in 2018. Representing the riding of Saint-Laurent, she was known for her competence and visibility. However, her assertive style occasionally clashed with the party hierarchy.

Her dismissal of her chief of staff was viewed by the leadership as an act of insubordination. By firing her staff without party approval, Rizqy signaled that she was operating independently. When the party suspended her, they likely hoped to bring her back in line. Instead, it led to her becoming an independent figurehead for dissent within the party.

Historical Precedents

The Quebec Liberal Party has a history of turbulent leadership transitions. However, the speed with which a sitting leader was pushed out—and the expulsion of a sitting MNA simultaneously—suggests a party in disarray. The "breach of trust" cited by the party is a serious allegation in political circles, usually reserved for situations where loyalty is fundamentally broken.

Immediate Effects: The Fallout in Quebec City

The immediate impact of these events is a leadership vacuum within the official opposition. With Rodriguez gone and Rizqy sitting as an independent, the PLQ faces an urgent need to regroup.

Impact on the Legislative Agenda

With the leader resigned, the party’s ability to effectively challenge the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is diminished. The PLQ must now appoint an interim leader to fill the void while they organize a new leadership race. This internal focus may distract from key policy debates regarding the economy, health care, and education—issues vital to Quebecers.

The "Independent" MNA

Marwah Rizqy now sits as an independent MNA for Saint-Laurent. This changes the dynamic in the National Assembly. While she loses the resources of a caucus, she gains the freedom to speak without party constraints. Her "mise au point" suggests she intends to remain a vocal critic, potentially reshaping the narrative around the PLQ’s internal stability.

Reputation Damage

The allegations of vote-buying and the public airing of grievances damage the PLQ's brand. For voters in Montreal, who form the party's traditional stronghold, seeing a popular MNA like Rizqy expelled and the leader resign under a cloud of investigation is concerning. It reinforces a narrative of a party that is more focused on infighting than on governing.

Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead for the PLQ?

As the dust settles on this chaotic week, the Quebec Liberal Party faces a crossroads. The path forward is fraught with risks, but also offers a chance for renewal.

A Contested Leadership Race

Pablo Rodriguez’s resignation triggers a leadership race. Given the circumstances—specifically the UPAC investigation—the party will struggle to find a candidate who is untainted by the current scandal. The candidates will have to campaign on a platform of transparency and renewal, distancing themselves from the events of December 2025.

The Rizqy Factor

Will Marwah Rizqy return to the fold? Currently, that seems unlikely. The expulsion was described as definitive. However, in politics, never say never. If the new leadership seeks to heal the rift with the party's progressive wing and the Montreal electorate, a reconciliation with Rizqy could eventually be on the table. For now, she remains a powerful independent voice in Saint-Laurent.

Strategic Implications for the 2026 Election

The 2026 provincial election was already shaping up to be a challenge for the PLQ. The CAQ government has faced its own controversies, but a divided opposition makes the incumbent's job easier. Unless the Liberals can rapidly unify and put a fresh face forward, they risk losing ground not just to the CAQ, but potentially to the Parti Québécois and Québec Solidaire in key ridings.

Conclusion: A Party in Search of Itself

The expulsion of Marwah Rizqy and the resignation of Pablo Rodriguez are more than just a headline; they are a defining moment for the Quebec Liberal Party. It highlights the fragility of political alliances and the devastating impact of