Gilles from the Bloc: Twitter weighs in on Duceppe comeback
Haydn Watters | CBC News | Posted: June 9, 2015 7:13 PM | Last Updated: June 9, 2015
Twitter floods with confusion, speculation and excitement on news of Duceppe's return
Quebecers woke up to a surprise this morning with news that former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe will return as the party's leader.
Duceppe quit as leader following the 2011 federal election, when he led the party to a crushing defeat. The BQ seat count dropped from 47 to four. Duceppe lost his seat to the NDP.
Twitter flooded with confusion, speculation and excitement Tuesday on news of Duceppe's return.
A 'midlife crisis'?
The comeback caught a lot of people off guard. Many wondered exactly why the 67-year-old would chose to come back as a politician, especially after the 2011 defeat. After all, Duceppe insisted he was done with politics back in 2012.
Duceppe's never-ending political saga likened some comparisons to television series like Game of Thrones and The X-Files.
A shot of entertainment and frankness
There's no denying Duceppe infused entertainment into federal politics. He is particularly remembered for his feisty performances during the French election debates. Others recalled him for his frankness.
Tuesday's news made some excited for a Duceppe comeback.
This Twitter user even decided to make fan art, crudely depicting Duceppe as a member of the Star Wars cast. Looks like the political saga will continue.
There was also hope for the return of the hair net, a reference to the infamous headpiece Duceppe wore during a visit to a Quebec cheese factory in 1997.
Will it hurt other parties?
It's too early to say how Duceppe's return will impact other political parties in Quebec. But that didn't stop Twitter users from speculating.
The NDP made a massive surge in Quebec during the last election, winning 58 of the province's 75 seats. Some wondered if Duceppe could regain those seats.
Others thought the move would benefit the Conservatives and the Liberals.