He survived a near-fatal disease a year ago. Last month, he led Quebec to the brink of independence. Lucien Bou-chard's newest challenge is scarcely easier: running a government and a separatist crusade simultaneously.
If Bouchard can pull off that feat, governing effectively as Quebec's new premier while sustaining the fervor of the secessionist movement, the result is likely to be another independence referendum within two years. By then, the separatists could erase the 53,000-vote gap that deprived them of victory on Oct. 30.But if the burden of day-to-day governing takes a heavy toll - if badly needed budget-cutting erodes his popularity, for example - Bouchard could find the separatists' momentum waning.
It is a huge gamble for Bouchard, 56, who explained the stakes Tuesday at a news conference that was telecast live across Canada. Two weeks earlier, he said he might quit politics because of pressure from his wife, but she was at his side for his announcement that he was ready to replace outgoing Jacques Parizeau as premier of the French-speaking province.
Bouchard appealed to Quebeckers' sense of pride, called for solidarity and sacrifice, pledged to work hard at reconciling with non-French immigrants whom Pari-zeau had blamed for the referendum defeat.
He vowed to preserve the social safety net for those in need, but stressed that Quebec's troubled economy must be put in order before the next secession attempt, possibly in 1997.
Bouchard's federalist foes, those who strive to keep Quebec in Canada, said he could be in for a rude awakening as he makes his first try at running a government. His current job is opposition leader in the federal Parliament, where he could snipe at Prime Minister Jean Chretien and extol Quebec nationalism without having to wrestle with deficits or tax cuts.
"Being premier, it's a bit more difficult than being in opposition," Chretien said. "You have to make tough decisions."
Bouchard is likely to be acclaimed as the new leader of the Parti Quebecois next month, then become premier in January. He said the economy and social problems will be his top priorities for at least his first year in office.
"It's going to be the first dose of reality for Mr. Bouchard in a long time," said Mike Harcourt, the premier of British Columbia. "He's going to see that Quebec is the last province to come to grips with their economic and financial situation after three years with nobody at the switch."
Quebec's jobless rate is 11 percent, compared to the national rate of 9.4, and it has the highest per capita debt of any province.
"It's a big challenge for Bouchard," said Montreal political scientist Pierre Fournier. "The question is: How much popularity will he lose cutting the deficit?"
One certainty to emerge from Tuesday's events is that Bouchard is not interested in any offer from the federal government that falls short of recognizing Quebec's sovereignty. In effect, he dismissed in advance whatever proposals are drafted by a federal Cabinet committee formed by Chretien to preserve national unity.
Is there any conceivable deal he would accept that would keep Quebec in Canada, Bouchard was asked.
"No, it's not possible," he replied. "I am a sovereigntist."