João Feteira, who was confirmed in March as the Socialist Party’s (PS) candidate for the municipal council in the interior district of Coimbra, announced his resignation on Monday to the local socialist council due to “a health issue that has worsened in recent days,” according to Telmo Ferreira, president of the local party structure.
“João is currently not physically able to continue and conduct a campaign as required for municipal elections,” he added.
Telmo Ferreira emphasized that the local council and the PS are “fully supportive” of João Feteira, stating that “the most important thing is his health.”
João Feteira, 55, has been the president of the São Miguel de Poiares Parish Council since 2017, having been part of its executive body from 2009 to 2017. He was chosen by socialists to succeed João Miguel Henriques, the current PS-elected president of the municipal council serving his third and final term.
In the message sent to the council, accessed by Lusa, João Feteira declared that when he accepted to be the PS candidate for the Vila Nova de Poiares municipal council, he was “in a stable phase.”
“It was a well-thought-out decision, made consciously and validated by the medical team that monitors me. I felt very motivated and fully capable of serving the population of my district and dedicating all my energy and experience to the continuous development of the municipality. In recent days, I was unexpectedly affected by a relapse in my health condition related to my ongoing treatment,” he explained.
For João Feteira, in light of such an “unexpected situation,” the necessary conditions to assume the candidacy were not met.
According to Telmo Ferreira, the local socialist council will now “calmly and serenely find a solution.”
“We have no defined date, but given our resources, we will find a winning solution, which is what we aim for in the 2025 municipal elections,” he stated, highlighting that, at present, the council’s focus is on “support and solidarity” with João Feteira.
