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Les résultats de l’élection du 1er octobre ont été pour moi l’occasion de faire le point sur ma carrière politique. Aujourd'hui, j'annonce que je me retire de la vie politique active, et que je ne solliciterai pas votre appui en vue de la prochaine course à la direction du #PLQ. — Pierre Moreau (@pierremoreauplq) December 16, 2018

The move comes as a surprise as Moreau had been seen by many as a strong possible candidate for the job, left vacant with the resignation of Philippe Couillard as premier and party leader Oct. 3.

The Liberals lost the election to the CAQ and now sit as the 29-member official opposition in the National Assembly. The CAQ holds 75 seats.

Moreau does not elaborate on his reasons on Twitter but instead thanks his supporters over his 15 years in politics. He also specifically thanks former premiers Jean Charest and Couillard, who he says both had enough confidence to name him to cabinet.

Moreau placed second to Couillard in the leadership race of 2013 and had never closed the door to another run for the top job.

But in a separate interview on Radio-Canada Sunday, Moreau said he has decided to pass the torch to a new generation. Moreau is 61.