The PSD party is seeking to amend the legal framework for gender and name changes in the civil registry by reintroducing medical validation, a move that faces internal opposition, particularly from MP Bruno Vitorino who has called for the bill's withdrawal.
PSD wants to reintroduce medical validation for gender change

Context & Explainers
- Former Mayor of Porto (2002–2013)
- Former PSD Leader (2018–2022)
- Party: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Partido Social Democrata
Rui Fernando da Silva Rio (born 1957) is a Portuguese politician and tax consultant known for his moderate, fiscally disciplined approach to center-right politics. As mayor of Porto for over a decade, he was credited with stabilizing the city's finances and overseeing urban regeneration.
He led the PSD from 2018 to 2022, adopting a conciliatory tone that contrasted with the more combative style of other PSD leaders. He lost the 2022 legislative election to the PS's António Costa (who won an absolute majority) and was succeeded as PSD leader by Luís Montenegro. He remains an influential voice in PSD internal debates and is occasionally cited in commentary on the party's direction.
Bruno Vitorino is a member of the Portuguese parliament (MP) who has asked for the Social Democratic Party's (PSD, Partido Social Democrata) bill on civil-registry gender and name changes to be withdrawn. His request matters to transgender people and anyone seeking legal name or gender recognition because the PSD proposal would reintroduce medical validation, and parliamentary disagreement could alter or block the bill.








