The leader of the Socialist Party (PS), José Luís Carneiro, announced that the party has postponed its political event due to the tragic elevator accident in Lisbon that claimed 16 lives. Initially scheduled for last Saturday in Coimbra, the National Municipal Convention of the PS is now set for the upcoming Saturday at the Convento de São Francisco, with an adjusted program.
The choice of Coimbra underscores the national leadership’s commitment to winning the Coimbra City Council, with former minister Ana Abrunhosa leading the candidacy. In this local election year, a key moment of the convention is the closing speech by the Socialist Secretary-General.
Before José Luís Carneiro’s speech, the manifesto “Saber ouvir e dar voz a Portugal,” to which socialist candidates will commit, will be released. A notable change in the program is a shift from an 11-speaker panel to discussions across three rooms covering various municipal topics simultaneously. The program no longer includes figures like former minister Duarte Cordeiro.
One discussion room, themed “autarquias socialistas: proximidade que transforma,” will address housing, security, mobility, public space, green transition, and digital transition. Speakers include Lisbon candidate Alexandra Leitão, Porto candidate Manuel Pizarro, Aveiro candidate Alberto Souto, former government official Isabel Oneto, and university professor Paulo Simões.
Another panel, “Autarquias socialistas: as pessoas no centro das políticas públicas,” will focus on health, education, social justice, territorial cohesion, economic dynamism, and public finances. Participants include former minister Fernando Medina, Sintra candidate Ana Mendes Godinho, Coimbra candidate Ana Abrunhosa, Setúbal candidate Fernando José, Bragança candidate Isabel Ferreira, and Évora candidate Carlos Zorrinho.
The theme “as marcas identitárias do PS no poder local” will be discussed by university professor Rui Pena Pires, Baião’s re-candidate Paulo Pereira, Socialist Youth Secretary-General Sofia Pereira, and Women’s Socialist President Elza Pais.
The convention opens at 09:30 with speeches by figures including PS President Carlos César and Luísa Salgueiro, President of ANMP and Matosinhos re-candidate, followed by a tribute to past and present socialist presidents of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) and the National Association of Parishes (ANAFRE).
