This position was conveyed by Eurico Brilhante Dias in a press conference, after being questioned about a report that suggested the Socialist Party (PS) faces a “statutory imbroglio” as José Luís Carneiro is only an interim leader and must be re-elected with the process accompanied by a congress.
The president of the PS Parliamentary Group expressed surprise that this report was featured as a “front-page” story, stating, “because that was the decision made by the PS National Commission.”
“The PS National Commission decided to initiate an electoral process for the vacancy left by the [former] secretary-general,” Pedro Nuno Santos, who resigned following the last legislative election defeat.
According to Eurico Brilhante Dias, this vacancy, resulting from the former leader’s resignation, “ended with the election of the PS secretary-general — and that’s it.” “Therefore, PS secretary-general José Luís Carneiro will complete the term vacated by Pedro Nuno Santos’ departure. For us, it’s not even news. That is the decision of the PS National Commission that led to the call for direct leadership elections,” he emphasized.
In other words, according to Eurico Brilhante Dias, the PS secretary-general will finish the two-year mandate “that was in progress.”
“It’s simple. For us, it’s clear and transparent,” he added.
Pedro Nuno Santos was elected PS secretary-general in December 2023, succeeding António Costa, and the subsequent congress took place in January 2024.
Under PS statutes, the next PS congress is expected to be held in the early months of 2026.
