Konrad Narth, who represents La Verendrye in the province's southeast, was chosen in a closed-door caucus meeting Tuesday morning as the legislature began a new sitting.

Narth told reporters the party is united and will select a new leader at a later date. Has no plans to run for the leadership on a permanent basis.?

"I'm here to continue moving us forward to find a new leader that will be the next premier of Manitoba," Narth said.

His appointment comes after Obby Khan on Monday abruptly stepped down as leader and quit caucus to sit as an Independent. Khan had been in the job for a year-and-a-half. He cited internal party feuding and efforts to undermine his leadership as the reason for his decision.

The move leaves the Tories with 19 seats in the house, compared with 34 for Premier Wab Kinew's NDP, one Liberal and, with Khan, now three Independents.

The next scheduled provincial general election is still over a year away.

Kinew has not commented on the move, but it has renewed speculation he might call a snap election.

Christopher Adams, an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Manitoba, said he expects the premier would likely wait, given municipal elections set for this fall, followed by the winter season.

"My thinking is it's high probability they'll just wait out 'till (next) fall," Adams said in an interview.

Adams said cascading events -- from Kinew's polling popularity to the Tories' declining popularity in Winnipeg -- make the move understandable. He said Khan likely had no choice but to step down, as the party isn't likely to win the next election.

To turn things around, Adams said the PCs need to win back suburban Winnipeg. He suggested the party name a leader who could appeal to urban voters, citing Winnipeg city councillor Janice Lukes or federal Conservative MP James Bezan as examples.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2026.