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%.
Prime Minister Montenegro backs António Costa's re-election for the European Council presidency, aligning with EPP leader Manfred Weber's strategy to maintain current leadership across key EU institutions.
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.
'Ultimately, our responsibility as political leaders is to improve people's lives,' said the President of the European Council at a breakfast at the official residence of New York City Council member Zohran Mamdani.
Montenegro stressed that it is necessary to substantiate our decisions and carry them forward.
The Prime Minister today pointed to Francisco Pinto Balsemão as an example and incentive for the Government that one must not 'wither in the face of adversity' and that it is possible to 'regain confidence and spirit', even when there are 'signs to the contrary'.
A reflection on the inability of modern reason and political leadership to address global crises, such as wildfires and war, while referencing the poetic legacy of Sá de Miranda and the recent passing of Brazilian poet Alexei Bueno.
The Prime Minister has decided not to schedule summer holidays this year and will be 'coordinating Government activity' while maintaining his agenda as president of the PSD, a source from Luís Montenegro's office told Lusa. According to the office, Montenegro intends to take only a few weekends and the occasional day off if the schedule permits, without leaving the country. The Prime Minister will also attend traditional PSD events, including the Festa do Pontal and the Summer University. Last year, Montenegro took a few days of holiday in the Algarve, and in 2024, his first summer in office, his family holiday in Brazil made headlines. In early July, Montenegro faced criticism from the opposition for travelling to the United States to watch national team football matches during a period when the Government had declared an alert due to intense heat and high fire risk. Luís Neves remains silent and hopes Montenegro ignores the pressure.
The Prime Minister says that the country must continue to take risks, even if things may sometimes not go as well as expected.
Rui Tavares ceases to be the spokesperson for Livre this Saturday. Speaking from Lisbon, he gave an assessment to journalists.
Yesterday, the list proposed by the current leadership members was revealed, and Rui Tavares appears in third place. Also in this news bulletin, Parliament marks the 50th anniversary of regional autonomies.
Isabel Mendes Lopes, the current spokesperson and parliamentary leader, is the top candidate on List A for the party's Contact Group (executive board). Jorge Pinto appears in second place.
Is the entry of Moedas, Pedro Duarte, and Bugalho into the PSD leadership an attempt by Montenegro to save the Government? Meanwhile, in Spain, the fear lies in the wear and tear of the First Lady's trial.
The 43rd National Congress of the PSD ends this Sunday in Anadia (Aveiro) with the election of the new governing bodies and the closing speech by the party president and Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro. After a first day marked by criticism of the PS and Chega for not supporting the “reformist impulse” that the PSD intends to bring to governance...
Former Finance Minister Maria Luís Albuquerque will head Luís Montenegro's list for the National Council. José Manuel Bolieiro replaces Miguel Albuquerque at the Congress Bureau.
Changes to the PSD leadership were announced by Luís Montenegro. Bolieiro replaces Albuquerque at the congress table. Trade unionist Lucinda Dâmaso leaves one of the vice-presidencies.
A statement regarding the importance of work in contributing to the growth and development of Portugal.
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.
