Key moments in Pierre Karl Pladeau's short political life

It lasted only 14 months, but Pierre Karl Pladeau'spolitical career is coloured with plenty of controversy, gaffes and surprises. Here are a few of them.

March 9, 2014: The fist

Pladeau announced his candidacy for election as a star candidate for the Parti Qubcois in the riding of St-Jrme.

• For the PQ, the two-edged sword that is Pierre Karl Pladeau

But his announcement was overshadowedby a simple gesture that would define him: he thrust his right fist in the air, vowing to make Quebec a country. Itbecame a viral meme, evengetting remixed into music videos.

March 13, 2014: The shove

During a press conference with former PQ leaderPauline Marois, Pldeau was asked a question about a possible conflictof interest aroundone of his companiesdoing IT work for the government.

Hoping to regain control of the message in an increasingly chaotic campaign, Marois gently pushed Pladeau away from the podium to answer the question herself. The gesturewon its own Frenglishmoniker: "le shove".

April 7, 2014: The election

Pladeau wins the riding of St-Jermeone month after announcing his candidacy. At the same time, Marois announces she's stepping down as leader. Speculations of his eventual ascendancy to the PQ head begin immediately.

• Pauline Marois loses seat, PQloses power

Oct. 8, 2014: The blind trust

Pladeau says he will put his shares of Quebecor in a blind trust if he becomesparty leader. This was a change from one week prior, when he said he would not choose between being a politicianand a businessman.

• Pierre Karl Pladeau gives trustees some power over Quebecor shares

He finally named the trustees on September 2015.

March 19, 2015: Echoes of Parizeau

At a debate at Universitde Laval, Peladeauhintedthat immigration could hurt the sovereignist cause.

• Pladeau apologizes for immigration remarks

"We won't have 25 years ahead of us to achieve this. With demographics, with immigration, it's clear that we're losing one riding a year," Pladeausaid. These remarks spread like wildfire in the National Assembly and local press. Comparisons to Jacques Parizeau, who blamed the "ethnic vote" for the defeat of the separatist referendum, were quick to come by.

He later apologized for the remarks.

May 15, 2015: The leadership

Pladeau become the new leader of the PQ with58 per centof the vote.

• Pierre Karl Pladeau elected leader of Parti Qubcois

Aug.15, 2015: The wedding

After 15 years as a couple, and with two chidren,Pladeau and Julie Snyder get married in Quebec City.

Jan. 1, 2016: The surprise anglo ally

After English school boards were shut out of consultations on a bill that would abolish school board elections, Pladeau came to their defense.

• PKPsaysgovernment must listen to English school boards

"If [the government]wantsto reform school board governance, they must respect the anglophone community's rights. They should participate in the commission and all other consultations,"Pladeau said at the National Assembly.

Jan. 25, 2016: The separation

Pladeau and Julie Snyder announce that they are separating less than six months after alavish wedding ceremony. This would have a direct impact on his resignation three months later.

• Pierre Karl Pladeau and Julie Snyder separating

Feb. 24, 2016: The think tank

A new think that that will study independence is announced.The Institut de recherche sur l'autodtermination des peuples et des indpendences nationales(IRAI)was Pladeau's brainchild, its director, Daniel Turp, said it won't be influenced by the PQ.

• PKPto pick up tab for finding head of sovereignty institute

May 2, 2016: The resignation

Pladeau steps down as leader of the PQ and as MNA for St-Jerme.

• PKPquits as Parti Qubcois leader

"I make this decision for the well-being of my children," he said."I must, for them, remain a good example."