The PS secured three presidencies of the Regional Coordination and Development Commissions (CCDRs). Álvaro Santos, representing the PSD, won in the North — the only contested race in these elections.
Socialist Party wins three CCDR presidencies; Álvaro Santos (PSD) takes the only contested race in the North
Tuesday, 13 January 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
A Regional Coordination and Development Commission (Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional, or CCDR) is a regional body that coordinates central government policy locally, manages regional planning and environmental licensing, and oversees certain EU/cohesion funds; mainland Portugal has five CCDRs (North, Centre, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Alentejo, Algarve). School directors fear politically driven appointments to CCDRs could steer regional priorities and resource decisions — including education projects and local appointments — in ways that reflect party politics rather than technical criteria.
