The Conselho das Comunidades Portuguesas (CCP) of the China Circle announced in October that Rita Santos had suspended her mandate on the eve of the global plenary of the advisory body of the Portuguese Government, which took place in Lisbon.
“She [Rita Santos] will reassume the role of advisor,” said Coutinho, following the presentation of the political program and candidates from the Nova Esperança list to the Legislative Assembly (AL).
“He’s the one who tells all,” immediately responded Rita Santos.
The initial suspension period of 60 days ended in December, but Rui Marcelo, a member of the CCP, confirmed in January to the Hoje Macau newspaper that Rita Santos had extended the suspension of her mandate to participate in the AL elections.
On June 3, José Pereira Coutinho had confirmed Rita Santos’s presence on the list of candidates for the legislative elections, scheduled for September 14.
However, today, minutes before the Nova Esperança presentation, Santos posted a video on social media announcing her decision not to run to “give priority to spending time with family,” especially her grandson.
During the presentation, Santos denied that her decision was related to an investigation initiated by the Portuguese Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) concerning an alleged crime against Portuguese electoral law.
On June 18, the Macau MP stated it was “gathering evidence,” at the request of the Portuguese judicial authorities, to determine if a “responsible from an association” in the Chinese region committed a crime.
José Pereira Coutinho, also president of Macau’s Public Administration Workers Association (ATFPM), mentioned that the organization received no requests from the local MP.
“Someone wanted it, but not,” added the deputy.
In early May, the Socialist Party (PS) filed a complaint with Portugal’s National Elections Commission (CNE), accusing ATFPM of interfering with mail-in voting for the May 18 legislative elections.
“Individuals identified as ‘volunteers’ were reported and observed at the door of a Macau postal station, approaching voters to indicate where they should vote,” stated the complaint, cited by the local press.
“This is the same practice that occurred in the last legislative elections in 2024 and was found to be conducted by Rita Santos,” accused the PS.
In early May, both Coutinho and Santos denied the PS accusations.
The same party had lodged similar complaints against ATFPM in the 2024 and 2019 legislative elections. The 2024 complaint was sent by the CNE to the Portuguese MP.
