Latest news and stories about political leadership in Portugal for expats and residents.
All votes from the PSD direct elections have been counted. Running unopposed, Luís Montenegro was re-elected for a new two-year term.
Carlos César has announced his candidacy for another term as president of the Socialist Party (PS) at the upcoming 25th party congress. He decided to run following requests from party leader José Luís Carneiro and other senior figures, including Pedro Nuno Santos. Those following national politics should note that César intends to maintain a more discreet public role during his next mandate.
Socialist Party (PS)
Portugal's other traditional major party suffered a historic collapse in the 2025 election, dropping from 78 to 58 seats and falling to third place for the first time in democratic history. The party was led by Pedro Nuno Santos from January 2024 until his resignation following the May 2025 defeat. José Luís Carneiro, a 53-year-old former Minister of Internal Administration known for his moderate positioning within the party, was elected unopposed as the new Secretary-General with 95% of votes in June 2025. The Socialist Party governed Portugal from 2015 to 2024, including an absolute majority from 2022 to 2024 under António Costa, who resigned in November 2023 amid a corruption investigation. The PS previously led the innovative "Geringonça" (contraption) coalition government from 2015-2019, a minority government supported by the Left Bloc and Portuguese Communist Party that reversed austerity measures and presided over economic recovery.
Carlos César is the President of the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) and a candidate for re-election to the position. He was the President of the Regional Government of the Azores (Governo Regional dos Açores) for 16 years between 1996 and 2012. Those following political news should note that while the Secretary-General leads the party, the President acts as a senior representative and moderator.
José Luís Carneiro has been re-elected as leader of the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) after running as the sole candidate in the party's direct elections. He secured over 20,000 votes and stated that the result qualifies him to be a future candidate for Prime Minister. Residents should note that Carneiro identified supporting youth who are neither working nor studying as a top priority for his new mandate.
Socialist Party (PS)
Portugal's other traditional major party suffered a historic collapse in the 2025 election, dropping from 78 to 58 seats and falling to third place for the first time in democratic history. The party was led by Pedro Nuno Santos from January 2024 until his resignation following the May 2025 defeat. José Luís Carneiro, a 53-year-old former Minister of Internal Administration known for his moderate positioning within the party, was elected unopposed as the new Secretary-General with 95% of votes in June 2025. The Socialist Party governed Portugal from 2015 to 2024, including an absolute majority from 2022 to 2024 under António Costa, who resigned in November 2023 amid a corruption investigation. The PS previously led the innovative "Geringonça" (contraption) coalition government from 2015-2019, a minority government supported by the Left Bloc and Portuguese Communist Party that reversed austerity measures and presided over economic recovery.
PS members re-elected José Luís Carneiro as secretary-general. The socialist leader said he expected support above 95%.
Chega leader André Ventura has urged party members to prioritize national issues over internal disputes, warning that excessive focus on party politics threatens their status as a viable political alternative.
Measured like Bento, Leão is as popular as Francisco, without being a populist.
Seguro and Montenegro mark the national holiday for the first time as a joint political leadership.
Seguro and Montenegro mark the national holiday for the first time as a joint political leadership.
What was expected from this new AD was political leadership, not the continuation of the technocracy and day-to-day management of the socialists.
Luís Montenegro has been re-elected to lead the Social Democratic Party.
In an election where Luís Montenegro faced no opposition, only about 15,000 people voted out of a total of nearly 57,000 party members. Also, PSG's victory in the Champions League final.
Out of a total of 56,868 registered members, 15,261 voted.
Montenegro was re-elected leader of the PSD. He promises to “work, work, work” to “leave no one behind” and to build a “greater Portugal”. “We will assume our responsibility,” he stresses.
With a lower percentage than that recorded two years ago, the Social Democratic leader was re-elected in an election in which he had no opponents. Turnout decreased.
Prime Minister Montenegro asserts that his current administration is the most reform-oriented in three decades.
Prime Minister Montenegro asserts that his current administration is the most reform-oriented in three decades.
Luís Montenegro, who will be elected on Saturday for a new term as president of the PSD, could become the third longest-serving social-democratic leader, behind Cavaco Silva and Pedro Passos Coelho.
Luís Montenegro has officially announced his bid for re-election as leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), focusing on the theme of national growth.
Luís Montenegro announces his candidacy for the leadership of the Social Democratic Party once more.
Nuno Melo has secured another term as the leader of the CDS party, receiving more than 90% of the votes cast.
Mariana Vieira da Silva clarifies that she never imagined leading the Socialist Party, yet does not close the door on a potential candidacy. Speaking on Antena 1's 'Política com Assinatura', she stated she would not rule out that path forever, noting that those in high political office cannot completely dismiss such possibilities. She added that she does not consider it 'likely' she will be interviewed soon as PS Secretary-General. Regarding Pedro Nuno Santos's criticism of 'tacticians' within the party—which targeted figures like Fernando Medina, Mário Centeno, Duarte Cordeiro, and herself—Vieira da Silva defended the diversity of opinion within the PS and suggested that the party must interpret the 'heavy defeat' of Pedro Nuno Santos. She also discussed her involvement in the Strategic Pact for Health, led by Adalberto Campos Fernandes, expressing cautious optimism about its utility despite her doubts regarding reaching a consensus on all matters.
In an interview with Antena 1's “Política com Assinatura”, Mariana Vieira da Silva refuses to rule herself out of a race for the leadership of the Socialist Party: “I will not exclude myself forever from that path. Anyone who holds the political positions I hold and have held cannot say that they completely rule out that possibility.”
In an interview with Antena 1's “Política com Assinatura”, Mariana Vieira da Silva refuses to rule herself out of a race for the leadership of the Socialist Party: “I will not exclude myself forever from that path. Anyone who holds the political positions I hold and have held cannot say that they completely rule out that possibility.”
Mariana Vieira da Silva acknowledges the possibility of running for the leadership of the Socialist Party.
Former centrist MP Nuno Correia da Silva will run again for the leadership of the CDS-PP at the May congress, presenting a global motion in which he argues that the party needs to assert itself.
Álvaro Beleza, a member of the PS National Political Commission, praises Pedro Nuno Santos for his public support of current leader José Luís Carneiro. Beleza highlights Santos' display of character and loyalty, contrasting it with unnamed 'tacticians' within the party. He also addresses the political climate, the legitimacy of other potential leadership contenders like Duarte Cordeiro, and criticizes Pedro Delgado Alves for his conduct during the 25th of April ceremonies.
Francisco Assis, Sérgio Sousa Pinto, and Ana Catarina Mendes are leaving the PS 'government', the National Secretariat, to join the party's internal 'parliament', the National Political Commission, which Mariana Vieira da Silva will also be joining.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro marks two years in office this Thursday. To commemorate the occasion, the head of government promises to show some behind-the-scenes footage from the last few years on social media. “We have been together for two years, building change in our country. Starting today, I will show what it is like to be on this side. Follow along!”
José Luís Carneiro is running without direct opposition during the Socialist Party congress.
In an interview with Facto Político from the Viseu Multipurpose Pavilion, the MEP argues that Carneiro should be the PS leader to contest the 2029 legislative elections, despite his mandate renewed in the last direct elections being for only two years.
The Congress Board is also composed of vice-presidents Luísa Salgueiro, António Pina, João Azevedo, Francisco César, and Célia Pessegueiro.
Eurico Brilhante Dias, Carla Eliana Tavares, Sofia Pereira, Mário Mourão, Marta Temido, Fernando Gomes, Sónia Sanfona, Nuno Araújo, Carla Tavares, and Mariana Vieira da Silva were elected as secretaries.
