When asked by Lusa about the PS’s complaint to the National Elections Commission (CNE) made public today, Alberto Machado expressed his regret and commented: “This can only be another episode of schizophrenia and disorientation from the PS.”
In statements to Lusa, Socialist MP Pedro Vaz explained that the issue concerns the sending of a letter presenting Pedro Duarte as a candidate for the Porto City Hall, which was reportedly sent to the residents of the city while he still holds a position in the current government.
Pedro Vaz remarked, “Despite all warnings, government members continue to use state machinery to conduct electoral campaigns.”
Alberto Machado rejected these accusations and claimed that the socialists fear Pedro Duarte’s candidacy.
“This only proves that the PSD’s bet for Porto is strong and winning, clearly unsettling the PS, leaving them somewhat insecure about a victory they considered guaranteed,” he said.
The PSD/Porto leader described the accusation as nonsensical, asserting that “at no time can citizen Pedro Duarte be deprived of his constitutional rights” and that “these complaints will not condition or divert the path of building a future project and quality of life for Porto’s citizens.”
While confirming that a letter was sent to Porto residents, he regards this as “natural in any moment when someone makes themselves available as a candidate and communicates this to the electorate,” emphasizing that Pedro Duarte’s role as a minister “cannot in any way limit the constitutional rights of the individual citizen, regardless of the position he holds.”
“From the moment one makes themselves available to run for a municipal position, it is their duty to inform the voters of what they perceive as their political project,” he stated.
So far, confirmed candidates for the Porto City Hall include Manuel Pizarro for PS, Pedro Duarte for PSD, Diana Ferreira for CDU, Nuno Cardoso for the Pensar o Porto movement, Vitorino Silva, known as Tino de Rans, and Aníbal Pinto for the Nova Direita.
The current executive consists of six members from Rui Moreira’s independent movement, three from PS, two from PSD, one from CDU, and one from BE.
The local elections are expected to take place between September 22 and October 14, 2025.
