The Socialist Party (PS) has appointed a new Secretary-General: José Luís Carneiro takes on the role as of this Saturday with the “honor of leading a party of values and principles.” He is set for a meeting next week with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
In the latest update from the PS direct elections, which concluded today with 92% of the votes counted, José Luís Carneiro received about 95.4% of the votes, with a participation rate of 48.3%.
In the evening, the new socialist leader delivered a speech in Lisbon, beginning with a reference to Mário Soares and concluding by stating that his leadership will be characterized by thoughtful approaches, collective work to solve problems, and a commitment to using all oversight tools against “unjust” measures.
What did he say in his first speech as Secretary-General?
“This is the first time I’m speaking to you as the leader of the Socialist Party. The trust placed in me by my comrades is both an honor and a responsibility,” said José Luís Carneiro in his first address following the direct elections in which he ran unopposed.
Believing that socialist ideas “are poised to remain the majority in the country,” he pledged a party of “values and principles” and assured he would take on the role with “honor and responsibility.”
“The PS, which I have the honor to lead from today, is a party of values and principles. We have a past that makes us proud and a future that unites us. A party that staunchly defends the rule of law. A party that is reformist and discontent with inequalities and poverty,” he added.
Distancing from “populists, conservatives, and neoliberals,” Carneiro promises collective effort
The successor to Pedro Nuno Santos—who announced his departure following the Legislative results—also committed to working with everyone and emphasized the importance of collective work.
“In the times we live in, many politicians succumb to the temptations of spectacle-politics, the moment’s rush, and a pursuit of individual stardom, often at society’s expense. They make rash decisions, exploit fears, and fuel emotions,” he criticized, noting that “media-savvy” politicians lead societies “backward” and “undermine social cohesion.”
The new Secretary-General of the PS, José Luís Carneiro, promised today a “different stance” from politicians who succumb to “spectacle-politics and the moment’s rush,” noting this occurs with populists as well as with conservatives and neoliberals.
“Some, like the populists, do so in a histrionic manner, preaching resentment, inciting hatred, and mobilizing real and fictitious pockets of discontent. Others, like conservatives and neoliberals, do so more discreetly,” he pointed out.
Carneiro pledged to adopt “a different stance” from these politicians, focusing on rebuilding the PS with “solid steps.” “Knowing what we want and where we are going. With no rush. No tactical temptations. Without over-focusing on short-term issues,” he emphasized.
According to the socialist, his “diversified experience” has made him “a comprehensive and determined person, firm, serene, and calm,” committing to honor the responsibilities he has taken on.
Promising a “loyal, responsible, and firm opposition” to the PSD/CDS-PP Government, José Luís Carneiro assured that the socialists will use “all oversight tools” to oppose “wrong, unjust, and ineffective measures.”
For instance, the socialists have already voiced opposition to the “idea that students must resort to bank loans to pay for their higher education,” vowing to play an oppositional role by presenting alternative proposals.
The agenda…
Soon after José Luís Carneiro’s speech, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced a meeting with the new PS Secretary-General on Tuesday at 3:00 PM at the Belém Palace.
Regarding Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, during his speech, the former Minister of Internal Administration replied that the election for the PS leader concluded today and that “it is usual now to begin this dialogue with the Government parties.”
“We are an alternative opposition. Many priorities this Government disregards are essential,” he critiqued, citing the economy, wages, health, housing, and responses to young people as examples.
For the PS leader, “it is urgent for the NHS to improve,” criticizing that “with the AD, no problem” has been solved, but several were aggravated, as fast solutions were, according to the PS, “illusory.”
…with the Local Elections
The former official announced that the PS will hold a Local Government Convention for candidates to commit to the values of freedom, equality, and solidarity, promising candidatures with principles of integrity and transparency.
“In the coming months, the political landscape will focus on the local elections. I began my political life as a councilman. Local democratic power is where the values of freedom, equality, and justice are most felt,” he noted, announcing that “at the end of August, beginning of September,” the PS will “hold a Local Government Convention” for candidates to commit to the values of freedom, equality, and solidarity.
Who is the new face of the PS?
On his second attempt, Deputy José Luís Carneiro reaches the PS leadership amid one of the party’s most challenging phases, becoming its tenth Secretary-General. He is seen as a moderate socialist, focused on understanding.
“José Luís Carneiro is today a particularly qualified PS member and, simultaneously, an always-present and considered militant. I expect a lot from him. He is an excellent member who knows well what he wants and what he does, and as such is recognized by his comrades and even his aware adversaries.”
These words come from Mário Soares, who in March 2012 wrote a foreword for a book by José Luís Carneiro on ‘Political Practices in Development,’ when he led the Baião council, a position he held in his hometown from 2005 to 2015, after serving as a councilor.
José Luís Carneiro spoke tonight at Largo do Rato, the PS headquarters, in a room with just over a dozen people, among them the party president Carlos César, mandate holder José Leitão, and former deputy Paulo Pisco.
When asked about the limited number of attendees in the room, the new PS leader explained that no invitation was extended for militants to attend.
