Summary:
Alexandra Leitão is the leading candidate for PS in Lisbon against Carlos Moedas.
Internal polling shows Leitão has the best chance to reclaim the city.
Her candidacy aims to strengthen support from the left.
Tension remains within the party due to past controversies involving Ricardo Leão.
Pedro Nuno Santos will discuss the candidacy with Carla Tavares.
Alexandra Leitão Set to Lead PS in Lisbon
Alexandra Leitão, the parliamentary leader of the Socialist Party (PS), is poised to be the party's candidate for the Lisbon City Council. As the decision approaches this week, she has emerged as the most favorable contender to face Carlos Moedas in the upcoming local elections, according to internal polling data.
The reports began circulating early on, with SIC highlighting Leitão as the strongest candidate within the PS, followed by Público confirming her likely candidacy. The Observador later corroborated this information, noting that discussions regarding potential candidates for Lisbon were ongoing, which had caused some impatience among party members.
While the party has not made any official announcements, several district leaders have expressed confidence in Leitão's nomination. Her candidacy is seen as a strategic move to garner support from the left, a goal that the PS leadership is keen on achieving. However, her name has faced some resistance within the Lisbon federation, particularly following controversies involving Ricardo Leão.
Leitão has been an outspoken critic of Leão, particularly regarding his controversial remarks about expelling individuals linked to unrest in Lisbon last October. This incident has left a lingering tension within the party, especially in Loures, one of Lisbon’s major municipalities.
In the meantime, Pedro Nuno Santos, the PS leader, is expected to meet with the new president of the PS Federation in Lisbon, Carla Tavares, to discuss this matter further. The party has faced internal criticism for the delay in naming a candidate, leading to concerns about losing ground in the political landscape.
Leitão, a prominent player in the party, has a solid executive background, having served as Minister of State Modernization and Secretary of State for Education. She was also a key supporter of Pedro Nuno Santos’ bid for PS leadership, making her a significant figure in the current administration.
As the situation evolves, her candidacy could reshape the political dynamics in Lisbon, especially against Carlos Moedas, who previously took control of the municipality from the PS in 2021.
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