Ana Abrunhosa: The Independent Candidate Set to Transform Coimbra's Politics

Ana Abrunhosa Nominated as PS Candidate for Coimbra City Council

The PS committee in Coimbra has officially approved Ana Abrunhosa as the lead candidate for the Socialist Party in this year's municipal elections. The announcement came after a vote that saw only one abstention and one dissenting vote, highlighting widespread support for Abrunhosa. The party expressed confidence in her ability to revitalize the city, which has been facing total stagnation.

Ana Abrunhosa, although running as an independent, has strong ties to the Socialist Party. Her background includes experience as a Member of Parliament, Minister of Territorial Cohesion, and President of the Regional Coordination and Development Commission of the Center. Her qualifications are viewed as unquestionable assets for her candidacy.

Having earned her doctorate from the University of Coimbra, where she also taught, Abrunhosa was elected as a PS deputy for the city in the 2024 elections.

The PS has outlined key priorities for the municipality, including housing, mobility, and job creation, alongside support for entrepreneurship, social inclusion, and environmental issues.

The PS is optimistic about reclaiming the Coimbra City Council, which they lost in 2021 to the coalition Juntos Somos Coimbra led by José Manuel Silva. In a speech at a recent party congress, PS Secretary-General Pedro Nuno Santos reaffirmed the party's goal to win back the council.

Candidate nominations for local parish leaders are expected to be approved in March, with discussions of a potential coalition continuing among various parties, including Livre and PAN.

In a public debate earlier this year, Abrunhosa laid out her vision focused on quality of life, attracting businesses, and retaining residents. She proposed initiatives such as a green corridor and an innovation district, and invited university professor Helena Freitas to be her campaign manager.

In the 2021 elections, the coalition Juntos Somos Coimbra secured approximately 44% of the vote, while the PS received 32.6%. Historically, the PS has won seven out of thirteen municipal elections in Coimbra.