Francisco César: after Passos and Spinumviva, there is “a settling of scores by the PSD regarding the Constitutional Court”

"It's not just conviction": Marques Mendes confident of a turnaround despite polls being unfavourable to him

PSD to run alone in the 2028 regional elections in the Azores

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) has announced it will contest the 2028 regional elections in the Azores independently.

SÁBADO28 Apr

Does Pedro Duarte not want it known who gives money to the PSD?

Pedro Duarte says that identifying donors could allow employers to know the political orientation of their workers. Does this excuse make sense?

Miguel Albuquerque accuses the State of failing Madeira

In his opening speech at the regional congress of the Madeiran Social Democrats this Saturday, the president of the regional government was harsh in his words.

Hugo Soares says those who left the PSD for Chega 'never had space due to a lack of quality'

The PSD parliamentary leader and secretary-general, Hugo Soares, stated during a conference in Praia, Cape Verde, that individuals who defected from the PSD to the Chega party lacked the necessary quality to succeed within the traditional party. Soares argued that populism is often fueled by those who failed to advance in mainstream politics due to incompetence or character issues. He further criticised the tendency of politicians to over-scrutinise themselves in response to populist pressure, suggesting that instead of constantly lowering standards or salaries, politicians should have the courage to govern well and advocate for better pay to attract high-quality talent.

Et tu, Leonor Beleza?

An analysis of the political shift of Leonor Beleza, a historic figure of the PSD party, who previously denounced André Ventura and the Chega party as dangerous extremists, but has now accepted a joint nomination with them for the Council of State. The article highlights the contradiction between her past stance on human rights and democratic values and her current alignment with a party she once vehemently opposed, marking a significant symbolic collapse of the PSD's previous 'red lines' regarding the far-right.

The front page of Expresso

The front page of the Portuguese weekly newspaper Expresso.

Marques Lopes considers the agreement "was bad for the PS and for the country"; Siza Vieira says that "the PS being left out is what would be bad for the country"

The agreement on lists between the PSD and PS divides the Central Bloc. Listen to the analysis by Pedro Marques Lopes and Pedro Siza Vieira, moderated by Paulo Baldaia.

PSD National Council meets today to approve direct elections in May and congress in June

The meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday evening.

5 PM. Agreement for the Constitutional Court. "Negotiation closed," says PSD

PSD parliamentary leader Hugo Soares says the names have already been discussed. The agreement covers four positions — including the successor to the president of the Constitutional Court — but Chega claims that the fourth judge is yet to be decided.

PSD nominates Beleza, Moedas and Pedro Duarte for Council of State in joint list with Chega

The announcement was made by the PSD parliamentary leader, Hugo Soares, in statements at the Assembly of the Republic.

Ventura says there is an agreement for two Constitutional Court judges nominated by the PSD and one by Chega

According to the leader of Chega, the name of the fourth judge is still being negotiated in the event that 'President José João Abrantes leaves' the Constitutional Court.

PSD says there is an understanding with PS and Chega for the “joint election” of four Constitutional Court judges

The PSD parliamentary leader stated this Tuesday (April 7) that there is a “three-way understanding” with the PS and Chega to elect four Constitutional Court judges, though he declined to provide names or the distribution of proposals. Hugo Soares explained that the three parties agreed that the elections should not be fragmented and should occur simultaneously, noting the expected departure of the Court's president in May. While Soares did not explicitly confirm the distribution, Chega leader André Ventura stated that an agreement exists for the PSD to nominate two judges and Chega to nominate one, with a fourth name still under negotiation. Additionally, Ventura confirmed his own nomination for the Council of State alongside Diogo Pacheco de Amorim.

Joint list for Constitutional Court rules out rebellion within PSD

The possibility of a rebellion by PSD deputies against an agreement with Chega for the election of Constitutional Court judges is considered unlikely, as the voting system requires a joint list where failing to elect the Chega-nominated candidate would also block the election of the PSD's own nominees. The vote, scheduled for April 16, requires a two-thirds majority, and despite internal resistance within the PSD towards André Ventura's party, the pragmatic need to secure their own seats is expected to maintain party discipline. Meanwhile, the PS remains divided on how to respond, with some members advocating for a break from negotiations due to the PSD's preference for Chega as a partner.

Poço: "PSD will not be cornered on constitutional revision"

Alexandre Poço, MP and vice-president of the PSD, doubts André Ventura's intentions, refuses to commit to a constitutional revision led by the right, and downplays messages from Pedro Passos Coelho.

Right now, the word is with the PSD: do they want a constitutional review with Chega or not?

Filipe Santos Costa and Luís Rosa, CNN commentators, dissect the solemn session commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Portuguese Constitution.

PS leader convinced that "common sense will prevail" regarding lists for external bodies

Earlier, Chega president André Ventura, when questioned on the same topic, reiterated that his party has an agreement with the PSD for the presentation of lists.

Miguel Albuquerque: 'I am not in favour of a Dom Sebastião. There is a legitimate Government'

'What Pedro Passos Coelho said is not a challenge to the PSD leadership' — this is Miguel Albuquerque's understanding.

“No agreement” on nationality: Chega accuses PSD of being no less socialist than the PS

Last week, the leader of Chega had announced that he was “very close” to an understanding with the PSD regarding the Nationality Law.

"The problem is that the letters have no reply": Pedro Delgado Alves on the PS's attempt at dialogue with the PSD

Socialist Party MP recalls that democracy was built on consensus between the socialists and the PSD, in a context where the amendment of the Constitution is being discussed.

Socialists halt break with PSD, but want a firm leader

Carneiro prepares to leave the Congress with a clear mandate to draw consequences from the PSD/Chega agreement at the Constitutional Court without turning his back on reforms. The budget remains open.

After the leader's threat, César calls for caution. Ignoring the PS in the Constitutional Court is a risk to the regime

While Carneiro admitted a rupture with the Government, Carlos César argued that the PS must show it is part of the solution. Socialist figures warn the PSD that leaving the PS out of the Constitutional Court is a danger to democracy.

PS raises tone against PSD over Constitutional Court and is divided between rupture and compromise

The conciliatory speech of the re-elected PS president was followed by several interventions dramatising the gravity of a possible understanding between the PSD and Chega regarding the selection of three Constitutional Court judges. César's appeal for serenity did not gain followers.

Augusto Silva Pereira and Santos Silva warn PSD that if it excludes PS from the Constitutional Court, it will have to deal with the consequences

Santos Silva warned that if the Social Democrats decide to “betray the common ground of Portuguese democracy,” which is its constitutional order, the PS will defend it.

10 PM. PSD downplays Carneiro's 'fanbase talk'

Carneiro's criticisms of the PSD are not causing concern. Hugo Soares describes it as 'fanbase talk'. Marcelo has returned to his public schedule but is not discussing politics, fulfilling his 'eternal desert'.

The PS path is to win elections. We shall see if the PSD ends up in 3rd place

Eurico Brilhante Dias states that there are still ongoing discussions regarding the judges for the Constitutional Court and suggests that in the future, the PSD could finish in 3rd place in a legislative election.