Through social media, the former Secretary-General of the Socialist Party reacted to the “unexpected passing of José Junqueiro,” remembering him as “a prominent member of the Socialist Party, deputy, government official, and leader.”
Seguro praised “his career marked by dedication to public service and the values of democracy and social justice.”
“I had the privilege of working closely with him when I led the Socialist Party, and José Junqueiro served as Vice-President of the PS Parliamentary Group, a period during which he demonstrated competence, work capacity, statesmanship, and loyalty,” he lauded.
Recalling that José Junqueiro “never hesitated to express his thoughts,” the presidential candidate noted that “we are left with memories and the longing for his good humor and dedication to public service.”
“His loss is felt by all who, like me, shared ideals, struggles, and projects with him for a better Portugal and for his city Viseu. To his wife Jacinta, his children, and the rest of his family, I extend my heartfelt condolences,” he added.
The former leader and Vice-President of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, José Junqueiro, passed away today at the age of 72, a death communicated to the deputies by the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, before the voting session.
José Junqueiro, a former Secretary of State, a retired professor at the University of Aveiro, a Sporting supporter, and former councilor in the Viseu City Council, was consecutively elected as a PS 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 the second government led by José Sócrates and Secretary of State for Maritime and Port Administration (2000-2002) in the second administration of António Guterres.
He was a multiple-time member of the National Secretariat of the Socialist Party, a socialist coordinator in the Social Equipment Commission, and led the Viseu Federation.
Politically, within the Socialist Party, José Junqueiro was a close ally first to the leadership of António Guterres between 1992 and December 2001, and then to António José Seguro between 2011 and 2014.
With António Costa’s victory in the Socialist primaries in September 2014, defeating António José Seguro, José Junqueiro ceased to be a candidate for the PS deputy after the 2015 legislative elections and withdrew from the forefront of political life.
