The March 2011 Portuguese Socialist Party leadership election was held on 25 and 26 March 2011 to elect a new Secretary-General of the Socialist Party.

José Sócrates, leader since 2004, ran for a third term, with the ballot being held just two days after his resignation as Prime Minister, with new elections being on the horizon.

This time, he faced significant opposition, with three other candidates on the ballot: Jacinto Serrão de Freitas, leader of PS Madeira, Fonseca Ferreira, closer to the left-wing of the party, and António Brotas. Despite this opposition, Sócrates was re-elected in a landslide, winning 91.7% of the votes, winning all party federations but Madeira, where Serrão de Freitas won with 74% of the votes.

Sócrates wouldn't fill this full term as, after the June 2011 legislative election and the Socialist Party's defeat, he would resign as leader.

Candidates

Declared NameBornExperienceJosé Sócrates(age 53)AlijóPrime Minister (2005–2011)Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (2004–2011)Member of Parliament for Castelo Branco (1987–2011)Leader of the Opposition (2004–2005)Minister of the Environment (1999–2002)Minister in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister (1997–1999)Secretary of State Assistant to the Minister of the Environment (1995–1999)Jacinto Serrão de Freitas(age 42)FunchalPresident of the Madeira Federation of the Socialist Party (2010–2011; 2002–2007)Member of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira (2004–2011; 1996–2000)Member of Parliament for Madeira (2005–2009)António Fonseca Ferreira(age 67)TrancosoCity Councillor in Palmela (2009–2013)President of the Steering Committee and Regional Development of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo (1999–2009)António Brotas(age 80)LisbonSecretary of State for Higher Education and Scientific Investigation (1975–1976)

Withrew

– former Chair of the Leiria Federation of the Socialist Party (1991–1995)

Results + Summary of the March 2011 PS leadership election results Candidate25–26 March 2011 Votes % José Sócrates 26,713 91.67 Jacinto Serrão de Freitas 954 3.27 António Fonseca Ferreira 728 2.50 António Brotas 257 0.88 Total 28,652 Valid votes 28,652 98.32 Invalid and blank ballots 489 1.68 Votes cast / turnout 29,141 89.95 Registered voters 32,397 Sources: Official results

References