Socialist Party warns of rupture over Constitutional Court appointments
At the 25th National Congress of the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS), Carlos César was confirmed as party president and warned that excluding the PS from judicial appointments is a risk to democracy. Leader José Luís Carneiro stated that a rupture will occur if the government bypasses the PS to negotiate with the Chega party regarding the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional). The tension centers on the selection of three new judges for the court, which Chega leader André Ventura claims is a historic opportunity for reform.
Update: Carneiro re-elected as PS leader amid calls for dialogue
José Luís Carneiro was re-elected as secretary-general at the Viseu congress, where he outlined ten priorities including wage convergence with the European average by 2035. Leonor Beleza, vice-president of the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), responded by calling for discretion in negotiations regarding the Constitutional Court. Carneiro also warned that the PS will reject the government's current labor law reform proposal if it remains unchanged.
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.
Socialist Party (PS)
- Leader: José Luís Carneiro (since June 2025)
- Ideology: Center-left, Social democracy, pro-Europeanism
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.
The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.
The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.
The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.
