Premier Pauline Marois told a radio network in France today that a referendum on sovereignty is hardly conceivable right now.

She told listeners that her Parti Quebecois government holds minority status in the National Assembly and faces two federalist opposition parties. Marois also stressed that Quebec will continue to defend its interests.

The newly-elected PQ premier met yesterday with French President Francois Hollande and will meet this morning with Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.

During their conversation yesterday, Hollande said France would return to its traditionally neutral policy on Quebec independence.That policy, which was introduced in France in the 1970s, had been temporarily interrupted under the pro-Canadian-unity era of Nicolas Sarkozy.