Official sources from the Socialist Party (PS) have disclosed the selections made by PS Secretary-General Pedro Nuno Santos for headlining candidates in the legislative elections scheduled for May 18. The names were presented at today’s secretariat meeting prior to the National Political Committee’s final approval of lists for all electoral districts.
Former minister Mariana Vieira da Silva is confirmed for the Lisbon constituency, a position she previously held in 2024. Fernando Araújo, the former Executive Director of the National Health Service, will represent Porto, while José Luís Carneiro, a previous candidate for PS leadership, will once again run in Braga.
In Coimbra, the choice has fallen on Pedro Delgado Alves, PS parliamentary vice-president, who was recently indicated as the second candidate for Lisbon on the list approved by the federation this week.
For the Santarém constituency, previously led by PS parliamentary leader Alexandra Leitão, who is now a candidate for Lisbon’s mayoral election, vice-president of parliament Marcos Perestrello has been chosen.
Setúbal will see former Secretary of State and MP António Mendonça Mendes take the top spot, filling the vacancy left by current MEP Ana Catarina Mendes.
Pedro Nuno Santos will continue to lead in Aveiro, repeating his candidacy from the last elections. This list of recurring candidates includes parliamentary vice-president and former minister Marina Gonçalves for Viana do Castelo, former parliamentary leader Eurico Brilhantes Dias for Leiria, former Secretary of State Nuno Fazenda for Castelo Branco, Luís Dias for Évora, Jamila Madeira for Faro, Francisco César for the Azores, and Elza Pais for Viseu.
This year’s lead candidate in Vila Real will be Rui Santos, the current mayor, while Aida Carvalho takes the lead in Guarda.
The Bragança list sees Júlia Rodrigues, the current mayor of Mirandela, assuming the top spot.
Pedro do Carmo, a former MP, returns for Beja, and Luís Moreira Testa, also a former MP, returns for Portalegre.
The emigration circles have seen changes with Emília Ribeiro representing Europe and Vitor Silva representing regions outside Europe.
Among new developments, Madeira, previously led by Paulo Cafôfo who was recently defeated in the regional elections, will now have Emanuel Câmara, the current mayor of Porto Moniz, as the leading candidate.
