Denis Coderre is quitting municipal politics, after 2nd mayoral defeat

Denis Coderreis quittingmunicipal politics again and will not bethe leader of the opposition at city hall.

Coderre announced his decision Friday following a closed-door meeting with members of his party, Ensemble Montral, at a community centre in thecity's Villeray neighbourhood.

He failed to win back his former spot as the mayor of Montreal during last Sunday's municipal elections, losing to incumbent Valrie Plante by 14 percentage points, an even wider margin than when she defeated him in 2017.

Coderre told a group of reporters that after 40 years in politics, it was time to move on for good.

He also said he felt the latest municipal campaign wasa referendum on his personality, instead of the parties' platforms.

"In the end, it wasn't about the issues, it was about me," he said.

Four years ago, Coderre also stepped away from his party, which was called quipe Denis Coderre, but was rebranded as Ensemble Montralafter he left.

His departureleaves a leadership void in the opposition at city hall.

The previous opposition leader, Lionel Perez, who is also a member ofEnsemble Montral, lost his bid to become borough mayor of Cte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grcein Sunday's election.

Last March, Coderrereleased a book called Retrouver Montral, which he touted as his vision for the city, while announcing he would once again run for mayor.

For much of the campaign, opinion polls suggested a tight race between Plante and Coderre, whoemphasized the importance ofeconomic development and public safety during his mayoral run.

In the final week, the veteran politician and former federal cabinet minister came under criticism for initially refusing to disclose theconsulting workhe did priorto confirming his candidacy.

WATCH| Denis Coderre explains why he is leaving politics:

Denis Coderre quits politics after another municipal election loss

3 years ago

Duration 0:41

Denis Coderre met with the reporters to explain his decision to quit politics and step down as the leader of Ensemble Montral.

When asked why he believes helost two consecutive elections to Plante, Coderredid not provide a direct answer.

"Iwas not running against Valrie Plante, Iwas running for Montreal," he said, echoing something he said several times during the campaign.

Parting shots for Plante, low voter turnout

While addressing the media, the longtime politician tooka few digs at the current mayor and leader of Projet Montral.

"Unfortunately, during this campaign, we didn't really talk about the [Plante administration's]last four years," he said. "I have the impression that environment [policies] from Projet Montralwas copying word for word many of our ideas."

During his concession speech last Sunday, Coderresaid the race "one of the dirtiest campaigns" he had ever experienced. On Friday, he reiterated his belief that his camp ran a clean campaign that focused on issues.

Coderresaid he reached out to Plante in the days following her victory and congratulated her. He also insists he is not bitter about the election loss.

He also lamented the low voter turnout in the city, which was around 38 per cent.

"[Montreal] is starting to look like a "big school board," he said, in reference to the extremely low voter turnout forschool board elections.

In a statement, Plantedescribed her two-time opponent as someone who cares about the city, wished him well in his future endeavours, and said her administration would "offer its full collaboration" to the person who succeeds him as leader of the official opposition.

What's next for Coderre?

Despite another convincing election loss,Coderre said he is encouraged by his party's prospects, adding that he feels confident that Ensemble Montralhas "four or five potential candidates" that could become the city's next mayor.

"We are the true alternative [to Projet Montral]," he said. "I feel good about the team, I feel good about the people who are elected who are doing a great job."

He did not specify what his plans were moving forward. He did say he would try to find different ways to make the city better, even if his career as a politician is over.

"I will contribute to the development of Montreal in other ways," he said."We have to make room for other generations."