Vronique Hivon to enter PQ leadership race on Monday

Vronique Hivonwill officially launch her campaign for the PartiQubcois leadership on Monday, Radio-Canada has learned.

• Vronique Hivon's star rising for Parti Qubcois top job

Hivon, a PQ MNA,plans to make the announcement in her riding ofJoliette, north of Montreal.

She will become the first person to formally enter the race to replace Pierre Karl Pladeau, who stepped down suddenly on Monday.

Details of the leadership race have yet to be finalized, but party officials said Saturday they want to have a new leader in place by October 15 at the latest.

• New PQ leader to be elected by mid-October

FollowingPladeau'sresignation, the PQ caucus choseSylvainGaudreaultas its interim leader.

Hivon has been an MNA since 2008. She came to prominence for her role drafting Quebec'sright-to-die legislation.

Other candidates rumouredto be considering joining the race are former cabinet ministerAlexandre Cloutier and long-time PQ insiderJean-Franois Lise.