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Article: Quebec Premier Steps Down, Citing Separatists' Decline; Bouchard Failed to Revive Support for Independence
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- January 12, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Lucien Bouchard, the Quebec premier who became the face and voice
of a movement to separate the French-speaking province from Canada,
resigned from politics today, a new sign of trouble in the campaign
for independence.
"I recognize that my efforts to revive the debate were in vain,"
Bouchard said at an emotional news conference in Quebec City. "I
assume all the responsibility because I did not relight the flame."
His resignation as the province's leader came as polls show
support for independence is declining among Quebec's 7 million
people, and Bouchard's Parti Quebecois is paralyzed by infighting.
The loss of the movement's most passionate and magnetic leader could
hurt the goal of an ...