'Je suis en rserve de la Rpublique,' Pierre Karl Pladeau says of possible return to PQ

Pierre Karl Pladeau isn't ruling out a return to the political stage in 2018.

The media baron and former leader of the Parti Qubcoisleft wide open the possibility of a returnahead of the Oct. 1 electionin an interview Tuesday.

"Je suis en rserve de la Rpublique," he said in an interview with Radio-Canada's Catherine Perrin on Mdium Large.

The expression, loosely translated, means he's prepared to help the PQ if needed.

Social media presence fuels speculation

In the wide-ranging, 30-minute interview, Pladeau reflected on his first foray into provincial politics, his relationship with the media and his ownership of Qubecor,and his increasingly active presence on social media.

His posts, many of which have been critical of the ruling Liberals, have helped fuel rumours of a possible return.

"I'm still a member of the PartiQubcois, and I will never quit the party," he said.

"I leave it to my former colleagues to do the political work on the ground and the parliamentary work that goes along with it."

Pladeauquit politics in May 2016, less than a year after being elected PQ leader, citing the custody dispute with his estranged wife, Julie Snyder.

That has since been resolved, and his daughter has encouraged him to return to politics, he said.

"I don't know if I will follow her advice," he said.

PKP return would be welcomed by Lise

Pladeau's comments come as the PQ continues to sink in the polls under current leader Jean-Franois Lise, who said he would be "overjoyed" by a Pladeau reappearance.

"Of course, I would like someone so strong, determined, with such strong economic experience on my team,"Lisesaid, speaking at a news conference in Trois-Rivires today.

"I have told him, he knows."

In the most recent survey, released this week by Mainstreet Research, the separatist party ranked a distant third, with 18 per cent support, behind both the Liberals and the Coalition Avenir Qubec, which are virtually neck and neck, with 31per cent and 32 per cent support, respectively.

A return to the party by Pladeau could be threatening toLise'sleadership, but the party leader said he doesn't think having a former leader on his team wouldbe an issue for the PQ.

"I know that I have, in my strong team as it is, people who rightly believe they can become chief," Lisesaid. "And I want more. I want a strongest possible team."

The PQ caucus meetinggets underway tomorrow.