A group of national advisors of the PSD asked the party leadership this Monday to propose at the next congress that the social democratic leader would be elected through the model of primaries, open to activists and citizens.
The proposal, presented by a group of national advisors assigned to List C, led by André Pardal, was sent to the National Political Commission (CPN) to take up as its own proposal and present it at the extraordinary PSD Congress on November 25 in Almada, which will have on the agenda the amendment of the party’s statutes and the analysis of the political situation.
“It is proposed that the election of the PSD president will take place through primaries, open to citizens and activists, with voting taking place simultaneously with Congress.” reads a statement from this group of advisors.
In a conversation with Lusa, André Pardal explained that this group was not looking for the necessary signatures to allow the proposal to be admitted to Congress, because they believed that “there is no point” in making a “global proposal for amendment to the law” if the priority relates “solely and exclusively” to the primaries.
“Our proposal is more of a challenge to the CPN, to the statutory review committee that has been established, to present this proposal,” he said.
André Pardal believed that the proposals for legislative revision presented so far by the CPN – including the inclusion of gender quotas on internal lists and an ethical regime for the choice of candidates – are “petty and insignificant”.
“That is not the reason why a national congress is held six or eight months before the elections when the party’s statutes have not been revised for 20 years. That is the reason why This proposal of ours is a challenge to the national leadership of the party to have the courage to present it,” he stressed, adding that the aim “is to raise awareness and put pressure on the CPN.”
Regarding the proposal, the national advisor and former deputy defended that electing the Social Democratic leader through primaries is the “only way to bring the PSD closer to the Portuguese,” emphasizing that this would also “shake up Congress and give dignity again.” .
André Pardal said that the PSD leader “is normally a candidate for the premiership”, and therefore argued that the “electoral universe of his election must be deeply expanded in order to be able to establish a link between the majority choice of the Portuguese – especially those who take turns voting for the PSD – and the activists.”
“It would bring clarity in which the majority of PSD supporters and activists could unanimously support the same candidate. That is the issue.” he said.
Since 2006, the PSD leader has been elected through the model of direct elections, which take place before the party’s Congress. The main meeting that follows serves to elect the national bodies, with the exception of the chairman of the National Political Commission, and to discuss thematic motions.
The election of the party leader through primaries had already been proposed by the JSD at the party congress in May 2022, and also in February 2020, in a motion signed by social democratic activists such as Miguel Poiares Maduro, António Leitão Amaro or Duarte Marks. .
The extraordinary PSD congress will take place on November 25 at the municipal sports complex of the city of Almada (Setúbal district), and will include on the agenda the amendment of the party’s statutes and the analysis of the political situation.
According to the regulation, proposals for changes to the law “will only be admitted if they are signed by one hundred members of Congress, the National Council, the National Political Commission, ten district political committees or 1,500 party activists.”
Source: DN
