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The choice was politics or family, and family won out.

Pierre Karl Péladeau stunned the political world Monday by putting an early end to his short and at-times tumultuous leadership of the Parti Québécois.

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Fighting back tears at a hastily called news conference at party headquarters in Montreal, Péladeau said he had no alternative but to make an “agonizing choice” between family and his political dream of making Quebec a country.

“I chose my family,” Péladeau said as shocked aides stood by wiping tears. “I made this decision for the good of my children. I must, for them, remain a model.”

He announced he would be leaving politics completely and immediately — including stepping down as the MNA for St-Jérôme.

He took no questions but insisted in his statement that his belief Quebec should become a country has not wavered.

“I will remain a PQ member,” Péladeau said. “I am convinced the future of Quebec and of Quebecers comes through the independence of our nation.”

To say his departure was last minute and not part of the plan is an understatement, with the party and political class — even his closest staff — taken completely by surprise.

“It’s incredible,” a senior aide said.

Members of the PQ caucus were informed only in the moments before his news conference in a telephone conference call.