Lobo D’Ávila praises Carneiro and asks the PS to be “motor of change”

O former militant and former governor of the CDS-PP Filipe Lobo D’Ávila praised today the “unique features” of the socialist secretary-general, José Luís Carneiro, to govern the country, asking the PS for courage to be “motor of change”.

“What does a guy like me do here? I agree with the Secretary-General of the PS that there is a need for a common ground among moderates, Democrats, especially at a time when the country faces very serious challenges and where it has to find solutions in the future. And I think there are solutions for the future,” Filipe Lobo D’Avila told journalists, who paraded from the CDS-PP in 2024 after 30 years of militancy and was one of the speakers of the General States of the PS, who ended today in Lisbon.

The former ruler of the CDS-PP, does not see in AD these future solutions, said that he has “manifested over recent times various disagreements regarding the course of the current government in different areas.”.

Complimenting the “seriousness, serenity, moderation, ability to listen and courage to decide” of José Luís Carneiro, Lobo D’Avila was asked about whether he understood that the leader of the PS is the most suitable politician to be Prime Minister.

“ I've already said it publicly, so it's no surprise to anyone. From my point of view, José Luís Carneiro meets personal conditions that at this moment no other political party leader meets ", considered.

In his speech on the panel of the General States – the four afternoon panels were all at the same time and in a “silent” format since the participants had headphones that allowed them to listen to the actors they wanted – the former CDS-PP militant, who is part of the PS Strategic Council, said he hoped that the “PS would have the courage to be an engine of change and reformism” in the country.

“ I am here today because I was invited, because they want to hear me and because I am also here in a demonstration of my freedom and because I thought that in a place where they want to hear me and can make my contribution in my professional area in total freedom and as an expression of my independence, why would I stop being”, he explained.

On the possibility of a return to political life integrating a possible Government of José Luís Carneiro, Lobo D’Avila admitted that, for those who like, politics “runs in the blood”, but can be done “anywhere” and not necessarily in the parties.

“ I don’t know what the future will be, the only thing I know is the present, and from the present I meant yes to José Luís Carneiro”, I just said.

Questioned as to whether the PS is today the home of the Christian Democrats and not its former party, the former ruler said that since it paraded from the CDS-PP it has stopped speaking in the Christian Democrats.

“ Because it's an institution I've served since I was a kid, which I served with great honor, in different roles, and whom I wish no harm. If you ask me whether the Socialist Party today, in the political context, has the possibility of being a common home to many Democrats, including Christian Democrats, yes”, he replied.