Cafôfo Dismisses Calls for Primaries, Stands Firm in Leadership Ambitions

Internal Party Disputes

Divergences within parties are commonplace, and Carlos Pereira's request for primaries in the Socialist Party is not new, according to Paulo Cafôfo. He emphasized that internal disagreements have also surfaced in other parties such as PSD, JPP, Chega, PAN, and Iniciativa Liberal. Cafôfo made these remarks to Antena 1 following a meeting with the Madeira Regional Taxi Industrial Association.

Cafôfo's Stance on Primaries

Cafôfo criticized Pereira for lacking the courage to confront him in internal elections, accusing him of wanting primaries to allow non-party members to vote for the Socialist candidate for the Regional Government presidency. He asserted, "Non-party PSD members will not choose the PS candidate."

Voting Eligibility in Primaries

In the proposed primaries, only non-affiliated individuals over 18, who haven't been expelled from the PS and agree to the party's principles, can vote, thus becoming sympathizers.

Statutory Concerns

Cafôfo stated that there is a statutory issue regarding the absence of provisions for primaries within the party's regulations, yet he insisted he would not shy away from them. He clarified that while primaries are not outlined in the party's statutes, there is nothing preventing their occurrence, citing past instances where primaries were held.

Leadership Commitment

Ultimately, the decision to hold primaries rests with the party's governing bodies and its leader, which Cafôfo does not intend to accept. He reaffirmed his commitment to his candidacy, stating, "I will not deviate one millimeter from my objective to provoke political change in the Region."

Accusations Against Pereira

Cafôfo accused Pereira of undermining the Socialist Party and weakening the potential for an alternative in the Region. "If the goal is to weaken the Socialist Party, it is to weaken the possibility of an alternative in the Region," he stated emphatically.