“We will seek to connect with [PS militants and supporters] in all federations, councils, and sections, and with our fellow militants, reach out to civil society wherever it is in the public space to collaboratively build and perfect our political proposal,” stated José Luís Carneiro during the presentation of his strategic motion for the PS leadership at the party’s national headquarters in Lisbon.
The former Minister of Internal Administration of the PS emphasized that his candidacy for the party’s leadership is committed to “the history of conquest and consolidation of liberties, rights, guarantees, peace, solidarity, and well-being” that Mário Soares embraced when he signed the European Economic Community (EEC) accession treaty, exactly 40 years ago.
This “does not merely mean a proposal to address the everyday needs of our fellow citizens but also, and fundamentally, a vision for the future of our country, aligned with the major guidelines of the United Nations and the European Union (EU),” he remarked.
Accompanied by PS founder and campaign representative José Leitão, holding three dossiers containing signatures supporting José Luís Carneiro, the candidate emphasized that there are “crucial” issues for the party.
“The defense of a National Health Service, public school, public social security, and ensuring continued economic growth based on innovation, knowledge, creativity, aiming for an economic growth surge capable of guaranteeing better wages and a more dignified response to future generations,” he outlined.
In a room filled with former PS deputies and officials like Luís Capoulas Santos, Eurico Brilhante Dias, Jamila Madeira, André Moz Caldas, and former MEP Maria João Rodrigues, he highlighted that Portugal developed “as democratic, free, fraternal, just, and solidary” within the framework of European values and those enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
“This motion, now heading to debate with militants and supporters, which will lead our political action until the future congress, is a new commitment, a renewal of this historical pledge to these fundamental values,” he announced.
José Luís Carneiro expressed it as an honor to present a candidacy committed to the “founding values of the PS” and, “just as important,” aims to “reassert a vision for the future” of the country and Portuguese society.
The internal elections for the PS leadership are scheduled for June 27 and 28, and as of now, José Luís Carneiro is the sole candidate to succeed Pedro Nuno Santos, who resigned from the position of secretary-general following the results of the legislative elections on May 18.
