Quebec City, Canada - Quebec separatists eyed a return to power in Canada's majority French-speaking province Monday in an election that could test Prime Minister Mark Carney's message of national unity to confront the US and its "unpredictable president."

Carney is popular in Quebec, and the possible success of the separatist Parti Quebecois (PQ) is not seen as a repudiation of his stance toward President Donald Trump, whose trade war and annexation threats have infuriated Canadians.

Instead, the PQ's rise after 12 years in opposition has been tied to frustration over affordability, and an enduring desire to protect the French language in an increasingly anglophone country.

"I want Quebec to still be speaking French in 100 years," PQ voter Francis Chalifour, a 49-year-old teacher, told AFP after voting in Montreal.

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A PQ victory would make its leader Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon, a 49-year-old lawyer known by his initials, PSPP, the province's next premier.

He said he was feeling both "on edge and serene" after voting in Montreal.

Pre-election polls had given PQ about 30% support, but in the province's first-past-the-post electoral system that could be enough to secure a majority in the 127-member assembly, with vote-splitting expected among several federalist parties.

PSPP has maintained he will call a referendum on leaving Canada if elected, just not while Trump is in office.

He has said a decision on Quebec's independence "requires conditions that allow for an informed and calm debate."

That shouldn't be "hijacked by the theatrics of an unpredictable president," he added, ruling out a referendum until at least 2029.

Quebec has held two previous votes on leaving Canada. Federalists won comfortably in 1980, but the 1995 result was excruciatingly close, with just 50.58% voting to stay in Canada.

Results in the province of roughly 9 million people should be known a few hours after polls close at 8:00 p.m.

For Carney, the Quebec vote comes amid a fraught political season.

His Liberal government enjoys broad support, and many Canadians credit him with leading national, and at times international, opposition to Trump.