Pedro Nuno Santos addressed journalists outside the PS headquarters in Lisbon, following the National Political Commission meeting of the party, which approved all candidate lists for the upcoming general elections with 92% of the votes in favor.
“Peaceful, we leave here reinforced, and rest assured of one thing: we will win these elections,” he emphasized.
For the PS leader, the challenges encountered in forming lists in some districts are “normal,” but he regarded the meeting as positive, noting the “overwhelming vote.”
“We will embark on this campaign with humility to do our job and rally the Portuguese people to win these elections,” he stated.
When questioned about the decision to change the lead candidates for the expatriate constituencies in Europe and outside Europe, Pedro Nuno Santos explained that the change was due to having “candidates residing in the diaspora.”
Prior to Pedro Nuno Santos’ departure, PS President Carlos César addressed journalists from the press room to outline the main conclusions of the meeting.
According to the party president, the voting results—66 in favor, five against, and one null—demonstrate “the unity and enthusiasm with which the entire Socialist Party is engaging in this campaign for the upcoming legislative elections.”
“It is a moment when socialists are committed, united around their leadership and the sense of change that needs to be instilled in Portuguese society,” he said.
Carlos César pointed out a “situation of great fragility” in the government, both “due to the issues involving the prime minister” and “the signs of intolerance and disrespect for the law that are frequently demonstrated.”
“Just yesterday, we saw this in Porto, at Bolhão, on Rua de Santa Catarina, an election campaign funded by public money, undertaken by the Prime Minister and assisted by the AD candidate for Mayor of Porto,” he criticized.
For the socialist, “such demonstrations highlight the indecency with which the AD behaves towards the law and the most basic rules of democracy and this sensitive pre-election period.”
Regarding the list elaboration process, the PS president admitted that it is a “complex organizational process.”
“I would be unpleasantly surprised if, in the debate preceding the approval of lists, there were no differences of opinion regarding who should be at the top or bottom of a list or about the more or less significant presence of men, women, or young people,” he stated, highlighting a “very significant renewal” in these lists where more than half the lead candidates are new.
Paulo Pisco, who was a candidate in several elections for the European constituency, was replaced by Emília Ribeiro from the Council of Portuguese Communities.
The departure of Paulo Pisco was noted by the former PS leadership candidate José Luís Carneiro during his speech within the political commission.
Carneiro recalled the work of the outgoing deputy, which “allowed for two absolute majorities in Europe,” as well as his efforts in the Council of Europe and in coordinating the Committee on Foreign Affairs, asking for recognition from those present for this trajectory.
José Luís Carneiro, who leads the Braga list after a turbulent process, also advocated before socialist leaders for a “clear political project” with proposals that distinguish the PS from the AD and in areas where the country needs reforms.
