The PS leader acknowledged today a “strong demand” in this year’s local elections, with “more than 50 mayors” from the party barred from re-running, but assured that socialist municipalities are a “guarantee of confidence.”
In Ferreira do Alentejo, in the district of Beja, the new secretary-general of the PS recognized that the party faces a “strong demand” in these local elections. “We have more than 50 mayors who cannot run again because they have reached the limit of 12 years in office,” he said.
During his visit to this Alentejo town, he was asked about a news item indicating that the PSD is focusing on major cities with the goal of winning the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP).
Regarding whether the PS anticipates losing this ‘battle’ for the ANMP, currently led by them, José Luís Carneiro highlighted that the PS governs “148 municipalities” independently and “has four more in coalitions or supporting an independent movement,” while “the PSD, with several party coalitions, has 114.”
Despite more than 50 PS mayors being unable to run again, “the Portuguese at home well know that the socialist mayors are a guarantee, a guarantee of confidence,” he emphasized.
“They are the best assurance of future” and “hope in policies that balance economic growth and job creation with social justice and inclusion,” he added.
Reports indicate that the PSD is finalizing its local election strategy this week, focusing on the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto, with a reported “difference of 35 municipalities compared to the PS” and having “fewer mayors at the end of their term.”
Luís Montenegro expressed a keen interest in “reconquering the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities” when re-elected as PSD president.
When queried about the PS’s performance expectations in the local elections, José Luís Carneiro set the goal as “securing more votes for parish assemblies, more votes for municipal councils, and more votes for municipal assemblies.”
“This is the target, the threshold set by the PS for the local elections,” he argued.
Regarding possible coalitions for the elections, Carneiro stated that the PS “runs as a party with candidates nationwide,” but local structures may consider such options where it is deemed justified and beneficial.
“Where local and federative structures find it sensible, useful, and potentially beneficial to better serve the voters, we will not hesitate to consider and evaluate these proposals,” he stated.
Referring to the Beja region, including Ferreira do Alentejo, and broadly to the Alentejo, José Luís Carneiro advocated for investment in development axes like Alqueva, Sines, the Beja airport, and the future Central Hospital in Évora, while also emphasizing the importance of road accessibility.
