Socialists expected to choose new leader in late June or early July

The president of Portugal’s Socialist Party (PS), Carlos César, will propose to its National Commission that snap elections be held for the post of secretary-general – the party’s executive leader – in late June or early July, an official source told Lusa.

According to the same source, speaking on Thursday, César had in the last few hours listened to “various personalities identified as possible candidates for the leadership of the PS and has opted for the scenario of immediate elections only for the position of general secretary of the party” following the resignation of the incumbent, Pedro Nuno Santos, after the party’s heavy defeat in Sunday’s legislative elections, which were won by the right-of-centre Democratic Alliance (AD).

This proposal, which will be taken to the PS National Commission on Saturday, is also backed by the outgoing PS leader, according to the same party source.

If this timetable is approved, the election can be expected to take place between “the end of June or the beginning of July,” said the same source.