Strengthening the PS amidst challenges calls for collective effort, according to José Luís Carneiro.
In the wake of a significant electoral defeat in May 2025, the Portuguese Socialist Party (PS) faces a challenging period. The party fell to third place with just over 23.4% of the vote and 58 parliamentary seats, marking one of its worst results in history[1][2]. The previous leader, Pedro Nuno Santos, resigned on election night.
José Luís Carneiro, the newly-elected Secretary-General of the PS, is steering the party towards a new direction. He secured 95% of the vote in the internal election, despite high abstention (55%)[3]. Carneiro's message emphasizes stability, dialogue, democratic renewal, and a departure from tactical or spectacle-driven politics.
Carneiro's vision for the PS is centered around ensuring "inclusion" and "capacity" for mobilization within the party. He plans to promote values rooted in social justice, democratic reform, and constitutional loyalty. Carneiro also advocates for a thoughtful and steady leadership style, focusing on building better paths for the country[3].
In his statement, Carneiro made it clear that no one is exempt from the current situation in the PS. His direction does not let anyone off the hook, but instead aims to facilitate mobilization and rebuild trust. Carneiro critiques populism and short-term political tactics that threaten social cohesion and democratic integrity, indirectly confronting right-wing forces and divisive political strategies[3].
Emphasizing a posture of constructive dialogue and democratic renewal, Carneiro aims to rebuild the party’s credibility and mobilize its base. His goal is to steer the Socialist Party towards a stable, principle-based leadership style that will help the party recover from its historic electoral setback.
[1] "Portugal's Socialists Suffer Historic Defeat in Elections." BBC News, 30 May 2025. www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57151910
[2] "Portugal's Socialists Lose Ground in Parliamentary Elections." The Guardian, 30 May 2025. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/30/portugal-socialists-lose-ground-in-parliamentary-elections
[3] "José Luís Carneiro Elected as New Secretary-General of the Portuguese Socialist Party." The Portugal News, 1 June 2025. www.theportugalnews.com/news/jose-luis-carneiro-elected-as-new-secretary-general-of-the-portuguese-socialist-party/46929
[4] "José Luís Carneiro Outlines Key Approaches for Portuguese Socialist Party." The Portugal News, 5 June 2025. www.theportugalnews.com/news/jose-luis-carneiro-outlines-key-approaches-for-portuguese-socialist-party/46938
- As the newly-elected Secretary-General of the Portuguese Socialist Party, José Luís Carneiro is advocating for a change in social policy-and-legislation, focusing on social justice and democratic reform.
- In his efforts to steer the Socialist Party towards recovery, Carneiro is promoting thoughtful politics, eschewing populism and short-term tactics, with a aim to maintain social cohesion and preserve democratic integrity.