Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard calls 4 byelections for Dec. 5

Voters in fourQuebecridings will head to the polls in provincial byelections in early December.

Premier Philippe Couillard made the announcement inQuebecCity today.

The ridings are Arthabaska, Saint-Jrme, Verdun and Marie-Victorin.

The byelections on Dec. 5 will be the first test for new Parti QubcoisLeader Jean-Franois Lise.

Saint-Jrme has been vacant since former PQ leader Pierre Karl Pladeau's resignation earlier this year.

The governing Liberals have 69 of the 125 seats in the national assembly, compared with 28 for the PQ, 20 for the Coalition Avenir Qubecand three forQubecsolidaire. There is also one sitting Independent.