PSD congress ends this Sunday with election of national bodies and speech by Montenegro

The absence of former leaders at the recent National Congress of the Portuguese Social Democratic Party (PSD) has been one of the most noticeable aspects of the event. Typically, such gatherings have seen the participation of past party leaders, including figures like Aníbal Cavaco Silva, Manuela Ferreira Leite, and Luís Marques Mendes. However, this time around, the omission of certain names sparked discussion, particularly regarding the presence—or lack thereof—of former Prime Minister Passos Coelho.

In an interview with RTP Antena 1, Hugo Soares, the current secretary-general of the PSD, addressed these concerns directly. He emphasized that all former leaders, especially those who had held the position of prime minister, were welcome at the Congress. According to Soares, it was essential that individuals who had once led the party remain part of its national gatherings. This statement came amid ongoing criticism from Passos Coelho, who had previously called for more momentum and reforms within the government. Despite these critiques, Soares downplayed them, stating that they should not detract from the overall purpose of the Congress.

Soares described the upcoming Congress as being focused on the country rather than internal politics. When asked whether the event might devolve into mere praise for the party’s leadership, he dismissed the idea. Instead, he argued that the public's expectations were clear—they wanted concrete political messages that would impact their daily lives. The Congress, according to him, should reflect a mobilized and energized PSD ready to support the government's policies. He stressed that while the party had a responsibility to explain and support the government when in power, this did not mean uncritical endorsement.

The National Congress of the PSD commenced on Saturday morning at the Velódromo Nacional de Sangalhos in Anadia, a venue located in the district of Aveiro. The event marks the formal confirmation of Luís Montenegro as president of the PSD for another two-year term, following his re-election with 95% of the votes cast by party members. One of the first scheduled moments of the day was Montenegro’s presentation of the party’s proposed strategic plan, which outlined the PSD’s stance on governance issues. Among other points, Montenegro reaffirmed the party’s commitment to maintaining a firm stance against the Chega party, emphasizing that the "no is no" policy remains intact. Additionally, he stated there would be no coalition agreements with the Socialist Party.

As the Congress progressed over the weekend, several key decisions were made regarding the composition of the party's national organs. These choices reflected Montenegro’s efforts to project an image of unity, renewal, and balance between the party’s governing role and its internal dynamics. During a speech on Saturday afternoon, Montenegro acknowledged the work done by Miguel Albuquerque, who stepped down from the presidency of the Congress’s board due to personal reasons. He praised Albuquerque’s demanding and sometimes unique approach to managing the proceedings over the last four years, expressing gratitude for his service to the party.

Montenegro also announced specific appointments for various national bodies. For instance, Gonçalo Matias, the deputy prime minister and minister responsible for State Reform, was named president of the National Jurisdiction Council. Similarly, Ana Paula Martins, the health minister, was appointed head of the National Financial Audit Commission. The list for the National Council was led by Maria Luís Albuquerque, currently serving as a European commissioner, alongside other notable figures such as Teresa Morais, Luís Campos Ferreira, Pedro Reis, and Sofia Ribeiro.

For the National Congress Board, Montenegro selected José Manuel Bolieiro as president and Rubina Leal as vice-president, continuing the strategy of incorporating representatives from autonomous regions into the party’s national structure. Within the National Political Committee, Montenegro included several prominent government officials, such as Paulo Rangel, the foreign affairs minister, and Miguel Pinto Luz, the infrastructure minister, among others.

One of the most significant political messages emerged from the composition of the Permanent Political Committee. Montenegro highlighted that he maintained his decision to keep the committee, responsible for the party's daily operations, composed of non-governmental leaders. As part of this arrangement, he proposed Sebastião Bugalho, an MEP, as vice-president and spokesperson, along with local leaders such as Carlos Moedas, mayor of Lisbon, and Pedro Duarte, mayor of Porto. Leonor Beleza continued her role as the party’s first vice-president.

Montenegro justified this choice by emphasizing the need for the PSD to maintain its own independent reflection, distinct from governmental activities. He explained that having members within the permanent committee who could offer insights from outside the government would allow the party to bring fresh perspectives, knowledge, and experience to its analyses of the national situation. This approach aims to ensure that the party can observe and understand reality from both inside and outside the government, providing a balanced view that supports effective policymaking.