Pierre Karl Pladeau kicks off PQ leadership run in St-Jrme

Pierre Karl Pladeau is kicking off his Parti Qubcois leadership campaign Sunday afternoon in his riding of St-Jrme, Que.

Pladeau, also known asPKP, joins five other candidates vying for the PQs top job.

• Parti Qubcois will have new leader in May 2015
• Pierre Karl Pladeau will run for Parti Qubcois leadership
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Pladeau announced his intention to run on Thursday at the University of Montreal, after much speculation and back-and-forth on whether he would take the leap.

The other candidates who have signed up to run are sitting MNAs Alexandre Cloutier, Bernard Drainville, Jean-Franois Lise and Martine Ouellet, and labour rights activist Pierre Cr.

However, recent polls have put Pladeau far ahead of his opponents.

Also the majority shareholder of major media corporation Qubecor, Pladeau has a number of notable PQ members on his side, including former premier Bernard Landry and 18 former PQ MNAs and ministers.

Pladeau said on Thursday that he wants to be a unifying leader and that his focus is on sovereignty for Quebec.

Leadership hopefuls have until Jan. 30 to toss their hats into the ring.

The PQs membership will vote for the new leader in May 2015.