Alexandre Cloutier among list of PQ MNAs quitting politics

Three veteran members of thePartiQubcois have signalled they won't run in the fall election, dealing the sputtering sovereignist party ablow ahead of the fall provincial election.

Alexandre Cloutier, a former leadership candidate, as well as two other longtime MNAs, Agns Maltais and Nicole Lger, are all quitting politics.

Cloutier, 40,said it's time to pursue other opportunities.

"I have no regrets," he said at a news conference in Alma, a town in his riding."I can say that I have tried everything, that I gave everything."

Cloutierwas viewed as a rising star within the party not so long ago. Hedidn't rule out an eventual return to politics.

The former cabinet ministerwas considered the front-runnerin the 2016 party leadership race. He ended up finishing second toJean-Franois Lise.

He also finished secondto Pierre KarlPladeauin the 2015 leadership race.

Cloutiersaid his decision to leave is "in noway" linked toLise'sleadership, despite a tense campaign that centred on identity issues.

He did say, however, that Quebec politics "needs to change."

"I think there are ways to do things differently.I believe strongly in the intelligence of people," he said.

"We need to work together morerather than sow divisions."

Cloutierhasrepresented the riding ofLac-Saint-Jean since 2007.

'Personal choice'

Maltais, 62, said that after 20 years of spending long days, nightsand weekends working for the people, she wants her life back.

"I no longer have the energy to devote myself 100 per cent, and giving less than 100 per cent is not my style," she told reporters at a news conference Tuesday.

Maltais said she still believes in the sovereignty projectand pledged to continue the fight, but as a supporter.

Lger, 62,was first elected in a Montreal riding in 1996. Shefought back tears as she announced her departure at a morning news conference.

"It's time for me to pass the torch,'' she said. "It's a personal choice."

Speaking alongsideLger,Lisesaid the PQ decided to make the announcement the changes now, at the start of the year, out of "respect for voters."

The next provincial election is in October.The PQ has placed third in recentopinionpolls behind both the Liberals and theCoalitionAvenirQubec.

Other PQ, LiberalMNAsjump ship

Two other MNAs, FranoisGendronandClaudeCousineauhave also decided to opt out,whileNicolas Marceauisreflecting on the possibility,Radio-Canada confirmed.

There are also several Liberal MNAswho either aren't planning to run again or are thinking about it.