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QUEBEC — Five days after its historic election loss, Quebec’s Liberals have picked a new interim leader to hold down the fort in the coming months.

Emerging from a morning caucus meeting, Liberal caucus chairperson Filomena Rotiroti announced Mont-Royal—Outremont MNA Pierre Arcand has been selected. He was elected by a secret vote of the caucus.

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A veteran politician and former cabinet minister, Arcand immediately told reporters the Liberals plan to act as serious opposition watchdog of the newly elected Coalition Avenir Québec.

He objected to Québec solidaire’s statement this week that it will constitute the real opposition in the house because in their mind the Liberals and CAQ are interchangeable.

“We were attacked a little this week when they told us they are the official opposition,” Arcand said at a news conference. “I don’t accept this. We are the official opposition.

“There is a big difference between us and the CAQ and day in, day out, we will demonstrate that … and we will work for the greater interests of Quebecers.