In the March 26, 2007, Quebec provincial election, the Parti Québécois was reduced to third place in the National Assembly, behind both the governing Quebec Liberal Party and the opposition Action démocratique du Québec.
Following this disappointing result, PQ leader André Boisclair announced his resignation as leader on May 8, 2007.
Marois was considered a leading candidate to replace Boisclair, especially following federal Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe's withdrawal from the race.

On May 11, 2007, Marois announced that she would run again for leader of the PQ for the third time.

No other candidate stepped forward to contest the election, and Marois was acclaimed leader on June 27, 2007.
She led the party from outside the National Assembly until winning the Charlevoix by-election on September 24.
In the March 26, 2007, Quebec provincial election, the Parti Québécois was reduced to third place in the National Assembly, behind both the governing Quebec Liberal Party and the opposition Action démocratique du Québec. Following this disappointing result, PQ leader André Boisclair announced his resignation as leader on May 8, 2007. Marois was considered a leading candidate to replace Boisclair, especially following federal Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe's withdrawal from the race.
On May 11, 2007, Marois announced that she would run again for leader of the PQ for the third time.
No other candidate stepped forward to contest the election, and Marois was acclaimed leader on June 27, 2007. She led the party from outside the National Assembly until winning the Charlevoix by-election on September 24.
Pauline Marois