Could Qubec Solidaire be facing its first leadership crunch?

Qubec Solidaire, the province's small left-leaning political party, could soon find itself at a crossroads as it heads into an election year.

For more than a decade, the partyhas shirked the idea of having a conventional leader, opting instead for two co-spokespeople, one man and one woman.

• Manon Mass, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois become new voices of Qubec Solidaire

But only one person can take part in the traditional leaders debate, just as only one person can become premier.

And both the party's new spokespeopleManonMassandGabrielNadeau-Dubois have expressed interest in the premier's jobif QS wins the 2018 election.

Nadeau-Dubois, the charismatic former student leader who joined the party earlier this year, signaled his interest in June.

• Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, Qubec Solidaire's great hope

Mass, who has been active in the party for more than a decade and was first elected in 2014, told Radio-Canada this weekend she too would be keen on serving as premier.

"From the moment I accepted to be the female spokesperson for QubecSolidaire, she said. "Being eventually called tofulfilthe role of premier was something that immediately came to mind."

QS has never held more than three seats in the National Assembly.

A decision, but perhaps not a race

The previous leadership tandem avoided this potential conflict. FranoiseDavid was the public face of the party during elections, and the one who would have become premier had it secured enough seats.

Though fellow spokespersonAmir Khadirdid not contest David's position, the decisionwas nevertheless ratified by party members.

However, the partyhas no formal process for deciding which spokesperson would take the helm of a QS government.

Whereas other parties would normally resolve this question in a leadership race, QS officials say that may not be necessary.

The modalities of who will represent the party in the next election are still being worked out, said the party's press secretary Stphanie Guvremont.

• Why Qubec Solidaire rejected alliance with the Parti Qubcois

"It[the discussion]is not completely finished," Guvremont said. "No matter the process, the members will decide on the choice."

The issue was discussed at the party's caucus retreat in the Eastern Townships over the weekend. At the retreatboth candidates downplayed talk of a leadership competition.

"I think Gabriel would be an excellent premier if we are going that way. I think I would be an excellent premier, myself. Now, give us time," said Mass, noting the election is still13 months away.

Nadeau-Dubois, for his part, stressed the two are consulting with each other about the issue.

"Manon and I, we have spoken often. We are still thinking about it," he said. "There is no race being announced. There is no rivalry between Manon and me."

Long-term leadership

With only three sitting members in the National Assembly, the party has significant ground to gain before choosing a premier becomes a real possibility.

However, even a more modest gain might encourage the partyto adopt a traditional leadership structure.

At the moment, all three of QS's elected members sit as simple independent MNAs.National Assembly rules only recognizea leader of the Opposition and a Leader of the Second Opposition Group.

Those positionscomewith salary top-ups of between$32,839 and$70,370.