Constitutional Court Rules: PSD/CDS Cannot Use 'Aliança Democrática' Name Without PPM

Constitutional Court's Ruling

The Constitutional Court has ruled that the PSD and CDS parties cannot run under the name 'Aliança Democrática' (AD) without the Partido Popular Monárquico (PPM) being part of the coalition. The decision, confirmed by Público, was communicated following the court's evaluation of the parties' request.

Implications of the Decision

According to the court, using the name AD could potentially mislead voters into believing that the coalition still includes the monarchical party, as it did in the past. In the March 2024 legislative elections, the coalition, which included the PPM, won by a narrow margin of about 50,000 votes against the PS.

PPM's Departure from the Coalition

The PPM's absence from the electoral campaign and its exit from the coalition were attributed to disputes over placement on candidate lists. The PPM has expressed strong opposition to the continued use of the name AD, claiming to feel seriously harmed by the PSD and CDS's actions. They have threatened legal action to prevent the name from being used in the elections.

Future Steps for PSD and CDS

In response to the court ruling, the PSD and CDS have considered changing their coalition name to 'AD - Aliança Democrática - PSD/CDS', although this has not satisfied the PPM. The electoral law requires that coalition names be submitted for approval before the actual candidacies are presented, which means the PSD and CDS must decide whether to adopt a new name or appeal the court's decision.

Background on the Coalition Dynamics

The relationship between the parties has been tumultuous, with the PPM previously rejecting participation in the coalition before agreeing to join, influenced by its ability to affect the coalition's agenda. As the situation evolves, the PSD and CDS are faced with critical decisions regarding their political branding and strategy in the upcoming elections.