New PQ leader to be elected by mid-October

The Parti Qubcoiswill elect a new leader between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15.

The party found itself leaderless afterPierre KarlPladeausuddenly resigned on Monday, citing family reasons.

• Pierre Karl Pladeau quits as Parti Qubcois leader

Former cabinet ministerSylvainGaudreaultwas selected by the party's caucus on Friday as interim leader.

• Sylvain Gaudreault chosen Parti Qubcois' interim leader

At a news conferenceon Saturday, partyofficialssaidthey planned to finalize the rules of the leadership race by the end of May.

Raymond Archambault, who heads the PQ's executivecouncil, told reporters they expected all the formal candidacy papers to be filed by June.

No one has officially declared they are seeking the leadership, but two names so far are being circulated as front-runners.

MNAs Vronique Hivon and Alexandre Cloutier are both expected to announce their campaigns shortly.

• Vronique Hivon's star rising for Parti Qubcois top job

Jean-Franois Lise and Martine Ouellethave alsoconfirmed they are thinking about throwing their hats into the ring.