Paulo Mota Pinto will leave the leadership of the PSD parliamentary caucus. The announcement will be made this afternoon by himself and marks the end of the cycle of the Social Democrat at the head of the group of deputies less than two months after being elected by an expressive 92%.

At that time, the election of Mota Pinto was interpreted as a sign of cohesion in rioismo and a final show of strength by Rui Rio’s indefectible. Since then, Luís Montenegro and Mota Pinto have spoken a couple of times, but the new leader of the PSD never committed to the continuity of the still president of the Social Democratic Board of Congress.

The two will have reached an agreement and decided to end the mandate, the Observer knows. Mota Pinto’s announcement comes a few hours before the start of the congress that will enthrone Luís Montenegro as the party’s new president – the Social Democrats meet this Friday and until Sunday – at the Rosa Mota Pavilion, in the city of Porto.

When saying goodbye, Mota Pinto affirmed that the decision had come from Montenegro: “I was available, as I always said, to exercise the mandate and collaborate, articulate, with the party leadership. I was informed by the elected president of the party, Luís Montenegro, that he intends to change the direction of the parliamentary group and, for that, that new elections be held. The second condition I indicated is not fulfilled. I agreed to this request. He also asked me to communicate it to Congress, which I do today, “he assured.

Rioismo gives a sign of cohesion in view of the next leader. Mota Pinto elected by 92% of the votes

possible successors

Montenegro will then have to find a successor he trusts to lead the parliamentary caucus. At this moment, there are three names at the head of the bookmaker: Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, Ricardo Bapista Leite and Alexandre Poço.

Joaquim Miranda Sarmento also came to the forefront of the political struggle hand in hand with the still leader of the PSD, becoming the “Rio Rye.” In the last direct elections, with Rio formally out of the game, Miranda Sarmento approached Montenegro and helped coordinate the macroeconomic scenario with the former parliamentary leader going to the polls.

Baptista Leite gained notoriety during Rui Rio’s consulate, becoming the voice of the party during the health crisis. On June 17, in an interview with the Observer, on the “Vichyssoise” program, the deputy and infectious disease doctor left everything open, but did not deny that he would be ready to accept the challenge if he presented himself. “I am vice president of the parliamentary caucus, I will be in these functions or in any other to the extent that Luís Montenegro understands,” he said.

These two would have the advantage of having a certain affinity with the universe. troublemaker – to which the vast majority of the elected deputies belong, handpicked by Rui Rio. On the other hand, having been elected Mota Pinto by such an important number of votes, any personality close to Rio who is elected to succeed him can provoke some antibodies in the group of deputies.

Now, in this logic, the election of Alexandre Poço, leader of the JSD, could resolve the issue, since the party’s youngest deputy has no connection with the rioismo – By the way, he always deserved a certain distrust on the part of the still president of the PSD.

Furthermore, if the choice fell on Alexandre Poço, it would always be seen as a disruptive decision and a turning of the page in the party. On the other hand, the JSD leader still does not have the recognition, notoriety and experience of Joaquim Miranda Sarmento and Ricardo Baptista Leite.

President Montenegro’s men. Who are they and what places will they occupy?