José Carita Monteiro’s name received approval on Sunday during the National Board meeting of the BE.
In a conversation today, the candidate expressed that he took on the challenge to “signal life” within the BE in the district of Portalegre following recent “upheavals” that might have led local voters to wonder if “the BE possibly had a death certificate.”
Monteiro was referring to the resignation of 73 BE militants in February, including members of the district coordinating committee and local councils, due to disagreements with the national leadership.
“I am running to slightly change the BE’s image in the district because fortunately, we have many people who respect democracy and advocate against desertification and in favor of cohesion,” he stated.
When asked whether the departure of militants complicates BE’s work in the area, Monteiro dismissed this notion, noting that “the troops were very biased.”
According to the candidate, the departure of over 70 militants will actually “ease the task,” allowing the party to work “cohesively” and “without ideological corruption.”
José Carita Monteiro has previously contested the municipal elections in Alter do Chão three times, with his last candidacy for the BE occurring in 2017.
The electoral district of Portalegre elects the fewest deputies in the country, just two, with the most recent election results assigning the seats to Ricardo Pinheiro (PS) and Henrique de Freitas (Chega).
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced that snap legislative elections will be held on May 18th, following the political crisis that led to the resignation of the PSD/CDS-PP Government, after its confidence motion was rejected in parliament.
