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RenE LEvesque[lAvek´] Pronunciation Key, 1922–87, Canadian political leader. After a career in journalism and television, he served in the Quebec National Assembly (1961–67) as a member of the Liberal party. He left the Liberal party in 1967 and founded (1968) the Parti QuEbEcois, which advocated Quebec's secession from Canada. In 1976, the Parti QuEbEcois was the victor in provincial elections, and LEvesque became premier. A 1980 referendum on separation from Canada won the support of only 40% of the voters, but LEvesque remained premier until 1985, when he resigned as party leader and premier after the party voted to temporarily abandon the goal of separation.
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