The former socialist deputy Ascenso Simões stated that the “Socialist Party is fragmented regarding the Presidential elections” and suggested that António José Seguro “should not accept the party’s support,” just as the PS “should not support any candidate” in these elections, scheduled for next year.
In the commentary segment ‘Além do óbvio’ on SIC Notícias, when asked about the words of PS President Carlos César at the party’s National Council regarding militants not having to conform to the candidate supported by the PS and whether this would lead to party fragmentation, Simões was direct: “The Socialist Party is fragmented regarding the Presidential elections.”
“This is not new, we’ve known for decades,” he remarked, referencing past presidential elections involving Mário Soares and Manuel Alegre.
He added: “There is a candidacy, that of António José Seguro, which receives majority support from the Socialist Party, its local officials, and its leaders. However, there is also a group of militants important to Portuguese society who believe that this candidacy does not represent the full center-left spectrum.”
Questioning whether the center-left “is the PS, plus the Bloco, plus Livre, plus other movements out there,” Simões emphasized that “this is not the center-left,” noting that “the issue is how the Left presents itself in elections” and whether it can “discuss the second round.”
About a possible candidacy by Sampaio da Nóvoa, who has received support from part of the PS, the former deputy highlighted that he does not know if da Nóvoa “will accept being a fifth or sixth choice among the candidates.”
“Professor Sampaio da Nóvoa is someone with a history, a political trajectory, who was a university rector, and now they are almost using him as a convenience for people with chronic narcissism issues. The Socialist Party should be cautious in how it promotes this candidacy,” he stressed.
“Seguro’s candidacy arises from an interview by Pedro Nuno Santos”
Simões argued the “Socialist Party should not support any candidate” and “António José Seguro should not accept PS support.”
“The Socialist Party would be free from any future conflicts between significant leaders within the party, and António José Seguro could forge his path and perhaps be more successful, as he could distance himself from current political circumstances, asserting himself clearer in a journey toward political purification, improving democratic institutions, and clarifying the role of the President as a moderator,” he stated.
He continued: “Of course, if he has PS support, his candidacy will always have limitations because it will always appear as a reference with a recent past.”
Simões mentioned that it would be “appropriate” for PS Secretary-General José Luís Carneiro to tell the National Council: “I recommend that we do not support any candidate.”
The socialist also mentioned that António José Seguro’s candidacy emerged “from an interview by Pedro Nuno Santos,” noting that it is a result of “profiles identified within the Socialist Party by Pedro Nuno Santos.”
It should be noted that socialists António Vitorino and Augusto Santos Silva were also mentioned as potential candidates for the Presidential race, both of whom have already declared they will not run.
Currently, only Luís Marques Mendes, Henrique Gouveia e Melo, and António José Seguro have officially announced their candidacies for Belém. Presidential elections are expected to take place early next year.
Additionally, Mariana Leitão from the Liberal Initiative had initially presented herself as a candidate but withdrew after Rui Rocha resigned from the party’s presidency.
