“I have just learned of the passing of José Junqueiro, my comrade from the Socialist Party and Secretary of State during my tenure as Minister of Social Equipment. I express my sadness and extend my heartfelt solidarity to his family,” wrote Ferro Rodrigues in a message to the Lusa agency.
The former leader and vice president of the Socialist Party’s Parliamentary Group, José Junqueiro, died today at the age of 72. His passing was communicated to deputies by the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, before the voting session.
“I have just been informed of the passing of José Junqueiro, with whom I had the privilege of serving as a deputy in previous legislatures. I express condolences to the Socialist Party and his family, confident that I reflect the sorrow of the entire Assembly of the Republic,” stated José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.
José Junqueiro, a former Secretary of State, retired professor at the University of Aveiro, Sporting supporter, and former councilor in the Viseu City Council, served as a Socialist Party deputy from 1995 to 2015, always representing the Viseu district.
Among other political roles, José Junqueiro was Secretary of State for Local Administration (2009-2011) in José Sócrates’ second government and Secretary of State for Maritime and Port Administration (2000-2002) in António Guterres’ second administration.
He frequently served on the National Secretariat of the Socialist Party, was the Socialist coordinator on the Social Equipment Commission, and led the Viseu Federation.
Politically within the Socialist Party, José Junqueiro was closely aligned first with António Guterres’ leadership between 1992 and December 2001, and later with António José Seguro between 2011 and 2014.
Following António Costa’s victory in the Socialist primary elections in September 2014, where he defeated António José Seguro, José Junqueiro ceased to be a candidate for deputy post-2015 legislative elections and withdrew from the front line of political life.
