The former Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), Pedro Nuno Santos, praised the candidate for the Lisbon City Council, Alexandra Leitão, highlighting her “competence and work ethic” with “her heart in the right place.”
“As everyone has already realized, Alexandra Leitão’s victory and that of the Viver Lisboa coalition is possible if we do not disperse the vote,” he wrote on Thursday on his social media accounts.
Dividing his post into points, Pedro Nuno Santos first mentioned Carlos Moedas, the current president of the Lisbon municipality.
“Carlos Moedas was a poor president; he resolved none of the problems he inherited and worsened several,” noting further that “it is widely agreed that the city is now dirtier, more congested, and access to housing has become even more difficult.”
The socialist also pointed out that “no one is capable of saying that Carlos Moedas was a good president, not even on the right.”
The second point of his post is dedicated to Alexandra Leitão, emphasizing some of her “qualities.”
“Throughout her professional life, whether as a teacher, Secretary of State, minister, or parliamentary leader, she has always demonstrated competence and work capacity. She is an intelligent, qualified woman with her heart in the right place,” he wrote.
For Pedro Nuno Santos, Alexandra Leitão “has the ability, strength, and will to solve the problems of the city of Lisbon,” adding that “she will never take refuge in propaganda or lies, as the current president did.”
Thus, the former socialist secretary-general called for a “vote to the left,” also mentioning his “respect for the PCP and for João Ferreira.”
“However, in the municipal elections, the president of the City Council is the one with the most votes. The PCP does not like the ‘useful vote,’ but also does not want to change our municipal electoral system,” he noted.
He continued: “The PCP was offered joint work in drafting the electoral program for the city. There is an ongoing social recomposition in the capital, and this may be the last opportunity we have to prevent the forced exit of so many children of Lisbon.”
Pedro Nuno Santos further stated that “the worst thing that could happen to the PCP would be for the Viver Lisboa coalition to lose to Moedas by fewer votes than those the PCP and João Ferreira will have.” He emphasized: “The Left’s electorate would not forgive the PCP.”
“Therefore, if we want a president committed, first of all, to Lisbon, capable of solving problems and a city where young people can live and establish families, there is no alternative to voting for Alexandra Leitão. There is only one vote capable of changing Lisbon,” he concluded.
It is noteworthy that on Sunday, October 12, Portuguese citizens will be able to choose who they want to lead their parish councils, as well as municipal councils and assemblies.
Pedro Nuno suspended his parliamentary mandate: “Serious reason”
The request for the suspension of Pedro Nuno Santos’s parliamentary mandate lasts 180 days and is justified by a “serious reason of personal and professional nature.”
The former socialist secretary-general will suspend his duties from the next 24th, already not being in parliament during the discussion and vote on the State Budget in general, which will take place on October 27 and 28.
The former PS leader Pedro Nuno Santos will suspend his parliamentary mandate from October 24, before the general discussion and vote on the 2026 State Budget, he told the Lusa agency today.
Lusa | 15:55 – 09/10/2025
