Jean-Franois Lise withdraws from PQ leadership race

Jean-Franois Lisehas withdrawn his bid for the Parti Qubcois leadership.

With a handful of supporters behind him, Lise made the announcement at a news conference Friday afternoon, saying that he believes fellow leadership candidatePierre KarlPeladeau'svictory is a foregone conclusion.

"What's the political reality?" Lise asked. "We feel is he will be chief of thePQso once you come to this conclusion,what's the point? What's the point of criticizing [and]having controversies?"

Lise first announced his intention to run on Nov. 3.

Since then, he had on several occasions voiced concerns overrival candidate Pierre Karl Pladeau's majority shares in media conglomerateQuebecor.

First elected in 2012, Lise was a senior cabinet minister in Pauline Marois's minority government, responsible for international relations and the Montreal region.

He was re-elected in 2014, when the PQ managed to win only 30 of the province's 125 ridings.

The remaining leadership candidates are MNAs Bernard Drainville, Pierre Karl Pladeau,Alexandre Cloutier, MartineOuellet,and labour rights activist PierreCr.

Lise said he won't publicly back any of them, leavinghis supporters free to support whomever they wish.

• Lise'sthanks supporters and says PKP will win in YouTube video