The hallowed halls of the Quebec National Assembly have witnessed a dramatic return. Marwah Rizqy, once the Liberal Party of Quebec's (PLQ) star parliamentary leader, has re-entered the fray as an independent MNA. Her reappearance, however, is not a simple homecoming; it's a somber echo of a fierce internal battle that nearly tore the party apart. Rizqy, having been ousted from the Liberal caucus in November 2025, now declares she "never wished to be excluded." Yet, as she insists she is "at peace with herself" and "still a Liberal," the questions loom large: Was this expulsion truly a unilateral decision, or was it the culmination of a deeper, perhaps unsavory, political game? And can the PLQ, still reeling from the fallout, ever truly heal?
The Unraveling: A Chronology of Chaos
The PLQ's recent past is a tangled web of internal strife, a narrative that unfolded with breathtaking speed and public acrimony. The seeds of discontent were sown during the party's leadership race, a contest that, rather than uniting the Liberals, seemed to expose and amplify their deepest divisions. The central figure in this drama, Marwah Rizqy, found herself at the epicenter of a storm that led to her dramatic expulsion from the party caucus.
Here's a look at the timeline of events:
Mid-November 2025: The crisis within the PLQ escalates. Marwah Rizqy has not spoken publicly since the beginning of the turmoil.
November 18, 2025: The tipping point. Pablo Rodriguez, the new leader of the Official Opposition, suspends Marwah Rizqy from the Liberal caucus. The stated reason: a "breach of trust."
This suspension follows Rizqy's sudden dismissal of her chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse, a close associate of Rodriguez. Rodriguez claims ignorance of the reasons behind Rizqy's decision.
Rizqy's dismissal of Hinse occurred shortly after Rodriguez's victory in the leadership race, a race where Hinse had supported Rodriguez.
November 23, 2025: Marwah Rizqy breaks her public silence, asserting that the matter was purely a "human resources issue" and that she was not the source of the media leak. She defends herself against any "political objective."
November 24, 2025: Rizqy expresses her position for the first time since her suspension, adding to a tumultuous week for the PLQ, which was also rocked by revelations of "troubling text messages" related to the leadership race published by Le Journal de Montréal.
December 2, 2025: Further revelations emerge. Le Journal de Montréal reports on an entrepreneur and Liberal activist seeking "nominees" for Pablo Rodriguez's leadership campaign.
Early February 2026: Marwah Rizqy returns to the National Assembly as an independent MNA, declaring she "never wished to be excluded" and is "at peace with herself." This comes as a new leadership race is underway, potentially leading to Charles Milliard's coronation within two weeks.
The "Breach of Trust" Enigma: Was it Really About Staff?
The official narrative surrounding Marwah Rizqy's expulsion hinges on a "breach of trust," triggered by her decision to dismiss her chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse. However, a critical examination of the available information suggests this explanation might be a convenient smokescreen for deeper political maneuverings.
"Mme Rizqy a procédé au congédiement de Mme Hinse, une proche de M. Rodriguez a démis Mme Rizqy de ses fonctions de cheffe parlementaire et l’a suspendue du caucus, évoquant un «bris de confiance»." (Le Droit, November 23, 2025)
Rizqy's own statements cast doubt on this simplistic portrayal. She has repeatedly framed the issue as a "human resources matter" and insisted on her desire for confidentiality, directly contradicting the public spectacle that unfolded.
Key Questions Arise:
Why would a routine HR decision, as Rizqy suggests, lead to such an immediate and severe political consequence – suspension and expulsion from caucus?
If Rodriguez was unaware of the reasons for Hinse's dismissal, why the immediate punitive action against Rizqy rather than seeking clarification?
What exactly constituted this alleged "breach of trust" beyond the firing of a staff member? Were there other factors at play that have not been disclosed?
The timing of Hinse's dismissal, so close to Rodriguez's leadership victory and Hinse's role in supporting him, cannot be ignored. It paints a picture of internal power struggles and potential retaliation, rather than a straightforward breach of professional conduct.
The Shadow of the Leadership Race: More Than Just Text Messages?
The leadership contest for the PLQ leadership was a fertile ground for controversy, and Marwah Rizqy's ousting appears inextricably linked to its undercurrents. Revelations of "troubling text messages" and alleged attempts to secure "nominees" for Pablo Rodriguez's campaign suggest a campaign environment rife with questionable practices.
"Crise au PLQ : la suspension de Marwah Rizqy expose une fracture profonde." (Actualité politique du Québec, November 18, 2025)
The articles hint at a broader scheme, potentially involving rewards or quid pro quo, which may have ensnared Rizqy or made her a target. Her claim that she was not seeking any political objective and that the issue was HR-related, while potentially true in her personal capacity, may have been interpreted by party leadership as an act of defiance or a challenge to the established order of the newly elected leader.
Points of Investigation:
What was the precise nature of the "troubling text messages"? Who were they between, and what did they reveal about campaign tactics?
Who was involved in the search for "nominees" for Rodriguez's campaign, and what was the intent behind such actions?
Did Rizqy's actions, irrespective of her intentions, disrupt or expose any of these alleged campaign practices, thereby leading to her expulsion?
The sudden and public nature of Rizqy's expulsion, described as the PLQ "exploding in mid-air," suggests it was intended as a strong signal, perhaps to quell internal dissent or to assert Rodriguez's authority decisively.
Rizqy's Declaration: "At Peace" or Strategically Positioned?
Returning to the National Assembly, Marwah Rizqy's declaration of being "at peace with herself" and "still a Liberal" carries significant weight. Her insistence that she "never wished to be excluded" suggests a narrative of involuntary separation, a forced departure rather than a self-imposed exile.
"Elle a toutefois assuré qu'elle se sentait toujours libérale. Je suis en paix avec moi-même, a-t-elle répété au cours des deux mêlées de presse qu'elle a accordées…" (Ici Radio-Canada, February 3, 2026)
This stance is crucial for her positioning as an independent MNA. It allows her to maintain her political identity and potentially appeal to Liberal voters disillusioned with the party's current trajectory. However, it also leaves the door open for a potential return to the party fold, or for influencing its direction from the outside.
Strategic Considerations:
How will Rizqy exercise her role as an independent MNA? Will she align herself with any particular political agenda or critique the PLQ from a distance?
Her statement "I am at peace with myself" could be interpreted as a personal affirmation or a carefully crafted political message to voters. What are the underlying motivations?
With a new leadership race concluding soon, could Rizqy's statements be a subtle bid to influence the outcome or position herself for future leadership opportunities?
The fact that the PLQ is facing another leadership contest, with Charles Milliard potentially being "crowned" within two weeks, highlights the party's ongoing instability. Rizqy's return, and her claims of continued Liberal allegiance, inject an unpredictable element into this already delicate situation.
The Scars Remain: Can the PLQ Ever Truly Unite?
The events of late 2025 have left deep fissures within the Parti libéral du Québec. Marwah Rizqy's expulsion and subsequent return as an independent serve as a stark reminder of the internal turmoil that has plagued the party, especially in the wake of its leadership race. The party's performance in recent polls, which has seen a significant decline, is a tangible consequence of these internal struggles.
Consequences of the Crisis:
Electoral Decline: The "disarray" within the party, as suggested by one headline, has directly translated into a loss of public confidence, evidenced by negative poll results.
Leadership Vacuum: The ongoing leadership race indicates a failure to consolidate power and direction following the previous contest.
Erosion of Trust: Public trust in the PLQ's ability to govern or even to manage its internal affairs appears to have been severely damaged.
"Au lendemain de l’expulsion de Marwah Rizqy du caucus libéral, un sondage vient confirmer les conséquences des dernières semaines pour la formation politique." (TVA Nouvelles, December 3, 2025)
The question of whether the PLQ can truly move past this crisis and unite under a new leader remains unanswered. Rizqy's presence, even as an independent, is a constant reminder of the unresolved issues. Her claims of peace and continued Liberal identity suggest a desire for reconciliation, but the path forward is fraught with challenges. The party must not only address the leadership question but also confront the deeper issues of trust, transparency, and political ethics that have been exposed. Without a genuine reckoning with the past, the PLQ risks remaining a fractured entity, unable to regain the confidence of its supporters or the public at large.
Sources:
Journal de Québec: Crise au PLQ: «Je n’ai jamais souhaité être exclue», soutient Marwah Rizqy (February 3, 2026) - https://www.journaldequebec.com/2026/02/03/crise-au-plq-je-nai-jamais-souhaite-etre-exclue-soutient-marwah-rizqy
Ici Radio-Canada: Marwah Rizqy se dit « en paix avec elle-même » (February 3, 2026) - https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2225419/marwah-rizqy-crise-plq
TVA Nouvelles: Crise au PLQ: voici le fil des événements qui ont mené à la débandade du parti dans le plus récent sondage (December 3, 2025) - https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2025/12/03/crise-au-plq-voici-le-fil-des-evenements-qui-ont-mene-a-la-debandade-du-parti-dans-le-plus-recent-sondage
La Presse: Crise au PLQ | Rodriguez suspend Rizqy du caucus pour « bris de confiance » (November 18, 2025) - https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2025/11/18/crise-au-plq/rodriguez-suspend-rizqy-du-caucus-pour-bris-de-confiance.php
Noovo Info: Crise au PLQ: Marwah Rizqy s'exprime pour la première fois depuis sa suspension (November 24, 2025) - https://www.noovo.info/nouvelle/crise-au-plq-marwah-rizqy-sexprime-pour-la-premiere-fois-depuis-sa-suspension.html
Le Droit: Crise au PLQ: Marwah Rizqy fait une première sortie publique (November 23, 2025) - https://www.ledroit.com/actualites/politique/2025/11/23/crise-au-plq-marwah-rizqy-fait-une-premiere-sortie-publique-M7M6WUYKTZEDDPHX2TV6IFWQ7E/
La Presse: Crise au PLQ | Rizqy se défend d’avoir une « quelconque » visée politique (November 23, 2025) - https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2025/11/23/crise-au-plq/rizqy-se-defend-d-avoir-une-quelconque-visee-politique.php
Actualité politique du Québec: Suspension de Marwah Rizqy : le PLQ explose en plein vol (November 18, 2025) - https://actualitepolitiqueduquebec.com/p/suspension-de-marwah-rizqy-le-plq
Les Affaires: Crise au PLQ: Rizqy défie Rodriguez de réembaucher sa directrice de cabinet (Low Priority - Source extraction failed) - https://www.lesaffaires.com/secteurs/politique/crise-au-plq-rizqy-defie-rodriguez-de-reembaucher-sa-directrice-de-cabinet/