Portugal's Socialist Party nominates Pedro Nuno Santos as leader

Portugal’s ruling Socialist Party has selected former infrastructure minister Pedro Nuno Santos as its new leader, setting the stage for a crucial snap election following the resignation of former Prime Minister Antonio Costa amidst a corruption investigation.

Santos, a 46-year-old economist from the party’s left wing, secured a decisive victory with 62 percent of the vote, as revealed by near-final results.

This leadership change comes after Costa’s sudden departure on November 7, amid a probe into alleged corruption related to energy contracts.

Costa, who had been in power since 2015 and was reelected in January 2022, faced mounting pressure due to his administration’s handling of energy-related matters.

The current President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has called for an early election on March 10 to address the political vacuum.

The newly appointed leader, Pedro Nuno Santos, had previously resigned from the Costa government in December 2022 during a scandal involving a substantial severance package at the state-owned national airline TAP.

Despite this setback, Santos has remained a prominent figure in the party and is viewed as a key player in the political landscape.

In his victory speech, Santos pledged to bring stability to Portugal, which is grappling with a cost of living crisis and a slowing economy.

“It is a united party that we now want,” he declared, emphasizing the need for cohesion in addressing the challenges facing the nation.

Santos faced stiff competition in the party leadership race from Jose Luis Carneiro, the current interior minister representing a more centrist faction. The election outcome reflects a significant shift within the party dynamics.

Costa, who congratulated his successor, is set to meet with Santos on Sunday to discuss the party’s transition.

The former prime minister’s resignation was prompted by the indictment of his chief of staff and infrastructure minister in a corruption investigation related to licenses for lithium mining and hydrogen production.

In an effort to contain the ensuing political crisis and stabilize the economy, President Rebelo de Sousa opted to delay the dissolution of parliament until January after the 2024 budget was set. Recent polls indicate a tight race between the Socialists and the center-right Social Democrats, with the potential for no single party to secure an outright majority.

As the political landscape unfolds, the October poll by the Aximage institute for CNN Portugal raises the prospect of left-wing parties securing 41 percent of seats, while the right-wing counterparts could claim 44 percent.

The potential for a fragmented political scenario raises the possibility of alliances, with the far-right populist party Chega potentially holding the key to governance.

The upcoming months promise to be pivotal for Portugal’s political future.