Daniel Paill, leader of Bloc Qubcois, resigns

Bloc QubcoisLeaderDaniel Paillhas announced he willstep down because of epilepsy-related health issues.

"Leading a political party requires you to be in very good physical shape and to be of tremendous strength and endurance. Its a full-time job. Iam now going to turn it over to someone else," Paill saidat a news conference this afternoon in Montreal.

He said his health issues began to emerge in recent months.

Paill said his condition is manageable andcan be stabilized, but only if he follows a more stable and predictablelifestyle.

"Knowing when to leave is important, and for me that time has come," Paillsaid.

Paillwas elected head of thesovereigntistparty on Dec. 11, 2011, succeedingGillesDuceppe.

Duceppeannounced he would step down following the 2011 federal election.

The Bloc Qubcois has four elected representatives in the House of Commons.

About20 per cent of Quebec voters support the party.