QUEBEC -
Jean Charest has yielded to intense public pressure and expanded the potential powers of Quebec's upcoming corruption inquiry.
The premier has completed a 48-hour about face, announcing the change Friday night in a speech to a Liberal party convention.
Charest's ground rules for the corruption probe have prompted widespread condemnation in Quebec and been criticized from authorities, including the provincial bar association.
There has even been grumbling from within his usually disciplined party ---- one member had announced plans to seek a leadership-review vote this weekend.
Charest has now told his Liberals that if the inquiry judge demands the power to subpoena any witness, his government will grant it.
On Wednesday, after having resisted calls for an inquiry for two years, the premier finally announced one without the power to force witnesses to testify.
The gambit prompted opinion-makers and political opponents to declare the inquiry a sham.
Quebec has been awash in allegations of widespread corruption tying the province's multibillion-dollar construction industry to crime groups like the Mafia, and to political parties.
Charest's U-turn appears to have pleased his troops. His announcement prompted a standing ovation from Liberal delegates.
Charest faces an election as early as next year and must convince Quebecers of his value.
Charest was expected to face some unrest at this weekend's convention. The premier's speechwriter recently quit over his dissatisfaction with the handling of the corruption issue and several other Liberal party members have quit in recent months.
