Jean Fortier confirmed he is dropping out of the race for the Montreal mayor's job to back Projet Montreal leader Valérie Plante.
At a joint news conference next to city hall, Fortier said he suspended his mayoral campaign in exchange for Plante supporting key elements of Coalition Montreal's platform that are in line with those of her party, such as housing, public transit and a more cooperative council that is not based on party lines.
Coalition Montreal leader Marvin Rotrand said it was the best option to ensure their policies would stand.
Everyone's all smiles - @jeanfortierMTL drops out of mayoral race to back @Val_Plante. But everyone's keeping their platforms.#CJAD #polmtl pic.twitter.com/6EHnr3F9Cm
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) October 18, 2017
"Jean doesn't think he's going to win, he's done well but we don't have the big resources to ensure that he can," Rortrand said in an interview with CJAD 800 News.
"In this case, he's made a decision and that decision is what's best for our voters, is it (best for) our voters to have Denis Coderre or Valérie Plante? His position is defended by a lot of our members - we'd rather live with Valérie Plante and keep her to her promises than Denis Coderre who basically rules the council as if he's the one and only boss."
.@MTLCoalition leader @MarvinRotrand says was best option to save their key policies on housing, public transit, governance. #CJAD #polmtl pic.twitter.com/WyjxZEIJSK
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) October 18, 2017
Rotrand, Plante and Fortier agreed that they are not endorsing each other's entire platforms and are keeping them separate along with their local candidates. They also said this was not a merger in any way.
Fortier will still be on the ballot as a candidate for Coalition Montreal in Ville Marie.
It was about a month ago that Fortier announced he'd be running for mayor.
Fortier was the chairman of the city's executive committee under the Pierre Bourque administration between 1998 to 2001.
.@MTLCoalition leader @MarvinRotrand says was best option to save their key policies on housing, public transit, governance. #CJAD #polmtl pic.twitter.com/WyjxZEIJSK
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) October 18, 2017