The Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), Pedro Nuno Santos, has committed to participating “in all televised debates” alongside the other “party or coalition leaders” following the decision by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader, Luís Montenegro, to refuse debates with the Left Bloc, Livre, and PAN. Montenegro has designated the president of the CDS, Nuno Melo, to represent him instead.
Pedro Nuno Santos criticized Montenegro’s refusal as “unacceptable” and indicative of “fear.”
“This is a concerning pattern for a prime ministerial candidate. He claims to have ‘more important things to do than respond to the deputies,’ avoids the press, and now categorizes parties into first and second tiers. Debates are essential for democracy and maintaining trust between elected officials and citizens. We must not weaken democratic pluralism,” stated Pedro Nuno Santos on X (formerly Twitter).
I will participate in all televised debates with the other party or coalition leaders. That’s how it should be.
Luís Montenegro’s refusal to debate with the Left Bloc, Livre, and PAN is unacceptable. Avoiding debate reveals fear and a concerning pattern for a candidate for the position of… pic.twitter.com/IrzbLRN5Pv
— Pedro Nuno Santos (@PNSpedronuno) March 26, 2025
Reports from various media channels indicate that Luís Montenegro is willing only to debate with the leaders of the PS, Chega, Liberal Initiative, and PCP. He has suggested the CDS leader, Nuno Melo, who is a coalition partner, for debates with the Left Bloc, Livre, and PAN.
The broadcasters RTP, SIC, and TVI met on Tuesday with all parliamentary parties to propose a repeat of the 2024 debate format.
The three television channels presented a proposal to the parties to replicate the debate model with the same format used in the 2024 legislative elections, but the format remains undecided.
