CDS-PP re-elects Nuno Melo as party leader
The CDS-PP party re-elected Nuno Melo as its leader during the 32nd party congress in Alcobaça. While Melo secured a large majority, the congress highlighted internal debates regarding the party's autonomy within the Democratic Alliance (Aliança Democrática or AD) coalition and its future electoral strategy.
Nuno Melo is the leader of CDS-PP (Centro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular), a Christian democratic party on Portugal’s centre-right, and Minister of National Defence in Luís Montenegro’s government, where CDS-PP governs in coalition with the PSD. He was previously a Member of the European Parliament.
The CDS–PP is the Democratic and Social Centre – People's Party (Centro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular), a small centre-right, Christian-democratic party founded in 1974. It often partners with the larger PSD in parliament; in February 2026 it voted with the PSD and IL to approve a housing package, so its parliamentary support can influence housing and other policy outcomes.
























