“We are talking about people who belong to the opposition and, therefore, clearly were not even committed to their own opposition list and agenda, even less to collaborating with the party,” stated Inês Sousa Real on the sidelines of the party’s candidacy presentation for the Maia City Council and its parish councils.
On Friday, it was reported that the head of the PAN list for Santarém in the last legislative elections, Vera Matos, resigned from the National Political Commission and left the party, claiming not to be “an asset.”
This marks the sixth resignation from the party since the legislative elections on May 18.
Inês Sousa Real highlighted that in this latest departure, it was Vera Matos herself who considered that she was not an asset and that, therefore, “if she has nothing to contribute to PAN, it is her political decision to leave.”
“PAN is strongly committed, and as we have seen today here in Maia, there are people strongly committed to giving voice to PAN’s values. These are the people PAN needs,” stated the party leader, adding that it is healthy to have different views and respecting if the opposition “feels they are not doing anything here.”
About a week ago, Carlos Macedo also announced his resignation and departure from the party, which he accused of being “rudderless, completely adrift,” with internal freedom of opinion wounded.
At the end of May, the head of the PAN list for Viseu in the 2024 legislative elections, Carolina Pia, resigned from the National Political Commission due to disagreements with the leadership.
Anabela Castro and Nuno Pires announced their departures from the same body on the day of the elections, and Pedro Fidalgo Marques announced his departure from the permanent political commission on May 24, although he remained on the National Political Commission.
On May 23, when only the first two leaders’ departures were known, the PAN spokesperson stated that she has led the party with openness, ensuring she has a “more than calm conscience” and refusing to fuel what she considers to be “false and unfounded” narratives about her leadership.
