Pedro Nuno Santos will present his candidacy for the post of leader of the Socialist Party (PS) next Monday, November 13, at 18:00, the newspaper reports. RTP.
A group of current and former socialist leaders signed a document in support of the former infrastructure minister.
The announcement of Pedro Nuno Santos’ candidacy follows controversy surrounding the government when an investigation into lithium and green hydrogen projects named after members of the executive branch was made public. António Costa resigned after the Justice Ministry said the prime minister was the subject of a Supreme Court investigation and a political crisis erupted in Portugal.
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has decided to dissolve the Assembly of the Republic in light of this scenario, and new elections are scheduled for March 10, 2024. Given the date, approval of the state budget is guaranteed.
Direct elections for António Costa’s successor as PS secretary general are scheduled for December 15 and 16 – at the same time as the election of delegates – and a congress is scheduled for January 6 and 7 after the prime minister’s resignation.
Interior Minister José Luis Carneiro is already in the race for PS leader.