Portugal's CDS-PP torn between merger with PSD or staying independent ahead of Congress
Debate over the future of Portugal’s CDS-PP party has intensified ahead of its 32nd Congress. Key figures have clashed over whether the centre-right party should merge with the PSD or remain independent. The discussions come as concerns grow about the rise of the far-right Chega party. Diogo Feio, a prominent CDS member, has pushed for a full merger between the CDS and the PSD under the Democratic Alliance (AD) banner. He argues that uniting the centre-right would create a stronger, reformist force capable of blocking Chega’s growth. Feio also proposed expanding the coalition to include the Liberal Initiative, aiming for a stable majority.
Feio’s stance led him to skip the CDS Congress, signalling his disagreement with the party’s current path. However, Paulo Núncio, the CDS-PP’s parliamentary leader, firmly rejected any talk of dissolution or merger. He stressed the party’s autonomy, claiming its reforms within the AD coalition remain distinctly CDS-driven. Nuno Melo, the CDS-PP president, echoed Núncio’s position. He dismissed fears that the party was losing its identity within the AD alliance. Melo also asserted that centrists were prepared to contest elections alone if necessary, reinforcing the party’s independence.
The CDS-PP now faces a clear divide over its direction. While some advocate for a united centre-right front, others insist on preserving the party’s separate identity. The outcome of this debate could shape Portugal’s political landscape in the coming years.
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