The Parti Qu脙漏b脙漏cois celebrated a return to power after nine years in opposition but its parade was dampened Tuesday by a weaker-thandesired result that could severely limit its ability to pursue its independence agenda.
It was certainly the strangest, and least jubilant, election win in the PQ's long history.
The party has never governed with a minority in its history and, therefore, has never faced the need to table a referendum question, an inaugural speech, or any other confidence measure with the support of parties that oppose its core values.
Its score in the popular vote was lower than any time it has governed. The PQ took about 32 per cent of votes. That was just one percentage point more than the governing Liberals, who staved off the electoral annihilation many had predicted.
The new Coalition party had 27 per cent.
PQ leader Pauline Marois promised Englishspeaking Quebecers that their rights would be protected, following an emotionally charged campaign that saw her party focus on language-and-identity issues.
"Quebecers made their choice," Marois said. "We will respect their choice by governing with all those elected."
She promised to work for independence and her party faithful chanted nationalist slogans.
But the bitterness in the victory was evident in the boos that greeted each reference to opposing politicians. Earlier in the evening, people in the crowd booed when they heard outgoing premier Jean Charest speak English in his concession speech.
How narrow was this victory?
Even after having served three terms, suffering numerous scandals, and having lost his own seat Tuesday, it was unclear whether Charest would actually resign as Liberal leader.
In a fiery speech, Charest paid tribute to his Liberal party's core values, such as belonging to Canada, and he predicted it would continue to thrive.
The suddenly seatless political veteran gave no inkling of his future plans and repeatedly referred to "us" and "we" Liberals keeping the minority government in check.
In an early reaction from federal politicians, Liberal leader Bob Rae bluntly described the result on Twitter as: "Quebec voters reject separatist project."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was more conciliatory but the message was similar. In a statement, he congratulated Marois on her election win - then delivered a pointed barb aimed at the independence project.
"We don't believe Quebecers want to reopen the old constitutional quarrels of the past," Harper said in his first public comments after five weeks of silence on the Quebec election.
"Our government will remain focused on jobs, economic growth and good economic management. We believe economic issues and jobs are also the priority of Quebecers."
The PQ won 54 ridings, shy of the 63 needed for a majority in the 125-seat legislature. Qu脙漏bec solidaire won two seats.
Charest's Liberals had a far better-than-expected result and won 50 ridings, holding onto official Opposition status.
The newly formed Coalition party had a disappointing night, winning in 19 ridings.
Among party leaders, Marois was easily elected in her riding and was set to become the fifth female provincial or territorial premier. The Coalition's Fran莽is Legault also won, and Qu脙漏bec solidaire's two co-leaders, Amir Khadir and Fran莽ise David, were elected.
While predictions of the Liberals' electoral wipeout did not come true, the party is not out of the woods yet.
In addition to being potentially leaderless, the inner workings of its fundraising will be exposed to public scrutiny in an ongoing public inquiry.
The PQ plans to either demand or create new provincial powers, including a "Quebec citizenship."
To get that document, future immigrants would have to prove they speak French, and the document would be a requirement to run for public office.
