A timeline:
May 8- Andre Boisclair the disastrously unsuccessful leader of the Parti Quebecois, who took his party from the brink of victory to third-place status in a few short months, announces his resignation.
May 11- federal Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe announces that he is going to return to Quebec and run to replace Boisclair.
May 12- Duceppe announces he is dropping out of the race.

This extreme about-face in the course of a few hours stunned much of the Canadian political establishment. Mr. Duceppe had long been branded as a natural leader of the Parti Quebecois, and his return to local politics was widely anticipated. But evidently he worries about his popularity or competition... or something. It was a very bizarre move and it will likely be a while before we know the full story behind it.