At the conclusion of the PS National Commission meeting held today in Lisbon, the first since José Luís Carneiro’s election as the party’s secretary-general, Carlos César addressed journalists regarding next year’s presidential elections.
“The Socialist Party may adopt a formal position, and it is natural for it to do so. The last National Commission outlined this possibility as the most likely, to express support. However, the Socialist Party does not control the votes of its members and even less the votes of its voters; it will merely offer a recommendation on this matter,” he emphasized.
The president of PS deferred a decision on this issue to a National Commission after the municipal elections on October 12.
When questioned about socialists potentially supporting Sampaio da Nóvoa, who has yet to announce a candidacy, Carlos César stated he views “all options that Socialist Party members wish to make in the presidential elections as natural.”
“There is nothing abnormal in this matter, as is the case in other parties. I know people from all political parties who may have different opinions from one another within the same party regarding their choice of presidential candidates,” he remarked.
Emphasizing that he “always had an option on all matters” and never sought refuge “in any circumstance of civic or political life in the anonymity” of his decision, the PS president admitted that “last time” he supported Sampaio da Nóvoa.
“On this matter, I will speak at the appropriate opportunity. Especially because I am the president of the Socialist Party. As president of the Socialist Party, I am also the president of the National Commission, which will rightfully be the body where this matter will be discussed. Therefore, what I have to say will be at that time or following that occasion,” he stated.
