During discussions led by Pedro Duarte’s electoral campaign, an invitation to a member elected by the PS, fourth on the list led by Manuel Pizarro, has been accepted, with the individual joining the executive as an independent councilor.
Pedro Duarte, speaking today, detailed that after several formal and informal discussions with the city’s cultural community during and after his campaign, he was urged to see Sobrado as the ideal candidate for this position.
The new Mayor of Porto, who had affirmed in August his intention to personally oversee the Culture portfolio, stated he has always viewed Jorge Sobrado as one of the most suitable leaders for this role, noting Sobrado’s merit in possessing the character and experience needed to continue Porto’s cultural revitalization.
The elected leader from the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition emphasized that the choice of Jorge Sobrado underscores a commitment to recognizing ability, experience, and dedication to the city, transcending political affiliations.
In the municipal elections on October 12, PS secured six mandates (Manuel Pizarro, Fernando Paulo, Francisca Carneiro Fernandes, Jorge Sobrado, Jorge Garcia Pereira, and Marta Sá Lemos), matching those of the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition.
Besides Pedro Duarte, the coalition elected five more councilors: Catarina Araújo (CDS-PP), Gabriela Queiroz (PSD), Rodrigo Passos (PSD), Hugo Beirão Rodrigues (IL), and Matilde Gouveia Rocha (IL).
Chega succeeded in securing a seat for councilor Miguel Corte-Real.
Jorge Sobrado, holding a degree in Communication Sciences, served as director of the Porto Museum and Libraries from December 2022 to February 2024, a role he left to become Vice-President of the Northern Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N).
Previously, from 2017 to 2021, he was a councilor with the Culture portfolio at Viseu City Council, beginning his tenure as an aide to the then-president, social democrat António Almeida Henriques, in 2013.
In 2013, following the election of the administration led by independent Rui Moreira, the Culture portfolio of Porto City Council was assigned to Paulo Cunha e Silva. After his death in 2015, Rui Moreira took over the portfolio, which he now manages alongside the Economy and Transport portfolios.
The inauguration of the new executive is set for late afternoon at the São Bento da Vitória Monastery, where a pledge to act as “a new leader for Northern Portugal” has been made.
