This week, it was announced that the major meeting would take place in December in Coimbra, although the exact date was initially undisclosed. This announcement was requested by spokesperson Inês de Sousa Real to the National Political Commission’s board, a move criticized by PAN leader Fernando Geração for allegedly disrespecting the National Political Commission.
Today, a statement sent to the press confirmed that the National Political Commission approved the X National Congress of the party for December 20, in Coimbra, with Inês de Sousa Real’s candidacy already announced.
“The proposal was forwarded by the National Directorate to the National Political Commission Board, according to the statutes and internal democratic procedures,” the statement noted, considering the congress “one of the most important moments of the next political cycle for PAN.”
With this congress, the party “is preparing to define strategic lines for the next political cycle, reinforce its commitment to the causes, principles, and values that have always guided it, and, at the same time, consolidate the path of internal renewal that has been developed,” it further states.
The choice of Coimbra for the congress is symbolic, explains the party, as in the last local elections, PAN joined the coalition led by Socialist Ana Abrunhosa, who was elected mayor.
“It is a territory where the party has strengthened its presence and will thus have the opportunity to contribute to advancing the causes it represents in local governance,” the statement adds.
The spokesperson and sole PAN deputy, Inês de Sousa Real, will seek reelection as the party leader at the X National Congress, promising internal dynamic restructuring, according to an official source from the candidacy on November 12.
Inês de Sousa Real has led the party since June 2021, being the only candidate during the Congress that took place in Tomar. She succeeded André Silva, the party’s first deputy in the Assembly of the Republic, and was reelected at the May 2023 Congress after securing 72% of the votes.
Her current mandate has been marked by internal conflicts within the party, particularly since the legislative elections in May. Following these elections, at least seven members resigned from the national political committee, and dozens of members, including former deputy Bebiana Cunha, announced their disaffiliation.
