Richard Bergeron says this was his 'final election'

Projet Montral leader Richard Bergeronannounced today he does not plan to run in the nextmunicipal election, buthe will stay on as party leader for the next year or two.

Bergeron said it's his duty to remain in his job long enough to show hisnew councillors the ropes.

Wednesday's announcementmarked a reprieve fromProjetMontral'stwo-daymedia blackout.

Bergeron went into a period of reflection after histhird bid for the mayor's office failed.On Sunday, he came in third place behind Mlanie Jolywith 25.52 per cent of the vote.

"Enough is enough," Bergeron said today, surrounded by his team at city hall.

"I had to acceptthis decisionof thepopulation which was very different toaccept. It was my last time and it will remain my last time."

Despite Bergeron'sfailedbid for mayor, hisparty managed to gain status as the city's official opposition party with a total of 28 seats.

"Of course as a candidate for mayoralty, I feel sad. But as a leader for Projet Montral I feel very proud ... You know Projet Montreal is far stronger today than it was a few days ago," Bergeron said.

'A lack of elegance from Denis Coderre'

At Wednesday's press conference, Bergeronalso addressed the recount in the district of hiscandidate-designate.

JanineKrieber was selected to step aside to give Bergeron a seat on council if he was not elected mayor.

But Krieber won bya slim margin in the Ville-Marie council race, defeating quipe Denis Coderres candidate Philippe Schnobb.

Mayor-elect Coderrehas asked for ajudicial recount, a decision Bergeroncalled unmayor-like.

Bergeron said he won't be able to be at the new city council's swearing in ceremony because of Coderre's recount.

Thats a lack of elegance from Denis Coderre,not for Mayor Coderre. I hope that he will be Mayor Coderre very soon," he said.