Not surprising that change is coming atop Quebec’s Liberal party following Monday’s crushing election defeat.

Philippe Couillard has stepped down and is leaving politics after taking a few days to reflect on his future.

(The Canadian Press)

”The unequivocal general election result, even after a mandate that was marked by a recovery and a historic revival of Quebec, leads me to make this decision,” Couillard said inside the National Assembly. 

”The desire for change was clearly expressed, so we must accept the consequences.”

The 61-year-old neurosurgeon was first elected in 2003, serving as health minister before stepping down five years later.

He returned to politics in 2012 to seek the Liberal leadership after Jean Charest resigned.

Couillard won on the first ballot and led the party into the 2014 election, defeating Pauline Marois of the Parti Quebecois.

The Liberals lost 56 seats Monday night and now hold just 32 in the 125-seat legislature.

Francois Legault’s Coalition Avenir Quebec took 74.

The Liberal caucus is expected to meet tomorrow to name an interim leader and set the groundwork for a leadership race.