# 2014 Portuguese Socialist Party prime ministerial primary

The 2014 Socialist Party General Secretary primary elections was held on 28 September 2014, the first primary open for non-members of the Socialist Party (PS). It elected the party's candidate for Prime Minister of Portugal in the 2015 legislative election. It was the first time in Portugal that a party had an open primary. There were only two candidates running: António José Seguro, the incumbent general secretary of the party, and António Costa, the mayor of Lisbon. António Costa won the primary by a landslide, achieving about 68% of the votes against the 32% of António José Seguro.
After the first results were announced, Seguro conceded defeat and resigned as Secretary-General of the Party.

## Background

Following the narrow victory of the Socialist Party over the coalition between the PSD and the CDS-PP in the European elections on 25 May 2014, many Socialist Party members and supporters considered the result a disappointment and many blamed Seguro for not being a real alternative to the Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho (PSD). On 27 May, António Costa announced that he would seek the leadership of the Socialist Party.
António José Seguro refused to initiate a leadership contest and accused António Costa of being an opportunist who had broken the deal the two made in early 2013, when António Costa was considering challenging Seguro.
After a bitter meeting of the party leadership members, António Costa included, it was agreed to call a primary election open to supporters of the Socialist Party that would elect the party's candidate for Prime Minister for the following legislative elections in October 2015.

## Voting procedures
### Calendar

Nominations for the candidacy were opened on 15 July 2014 and closed on 14 August 2014. To be able to vote, voters had to register between 15 July 2014 and 12 September 2014.

### Conditions

Unlike previous Socialist Party leadership elections, this was the first primary to be open to the general public. In order to participate to the open primary, voters had to meet the following conditions:
* Registered in the Portuguese electoral lists;
* Sign a declaration of political principles committing to the values of the Party: "freedom, equality and solidarity, and with the compromise of fighting for human rights, justice and peace."
Members of the party were automatically eligible to participate.

## Candidates

| Name | Name | Born | Experience |
| António José Seguro | | 11 March 1962 (age 52) Penamacor | Secretary-general of the Socialist Party (2011–2014) Member of the Council of State (2011–2014) Member of Parliament for Braga (2005–2014) Minister in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister (2001–2002) Secretary of State Assistant to the Prime Minister (1997–1999) Secretary of State for Youth Affairs (1995–1997) Leader of the Socialist Parliamentary Caucus (2004–2005) Member of the European Parliament (1999–2001) Member of Parliament for Lisbon (1985–1987; 2002–2005) Member of Parliament for Guarda (1995–1999) Member of Parliament for Porto (1991–1995) Secretary-general of the Socialist Youth (1990–1994) |
| António Costa | | 17 July 1961 (age 53) Lisbon | Mayor of Lisbon (2007–2015) Minister of Internal Administration (2005–2007) Minister of Justice (1999–2002) Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (1997–1999) Vice-President of the European Parliament (2004–2005) Leader of the Socialist Parliamentary Caucus (2002–2004) Member of the European Parliament (2004–2005) Member of the Parliament for Lisbon (1991–1995) Member of the Parliament for Leiria (2002–2004) |

## Notable endorsements
### Ministers

* Alberto Martins – former Minister of Justice (2009–2011), former Minister of Public Administration (1999–2002) and incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1987–2017)
* Maria de Belém Roseira – incumbent President of the Socialist Party (2011–2014), former Minister of Health (1995–1999), former Minister of Equality (1999–2000) and incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1999–2015)

### Members of Parliament

* António Galamba – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1995–2011)
* António Gameiro – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2005–2022) and Chair of the Santarém Federation of the Socialist Party
* Carlos Cordeiro – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1976–1979; 1983–1985; 1995–1999)
* Fernando Moniz – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1987–1991; 1999–2011)
* Jamila Madeira – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1995–1999; 2009–2011) and former Secretary-general of the Socialist Youth (2000–2004)
* João Paulo Pedrosa – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2009–2022)
* José Albano Marques - former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2009-2011) and chair of the Guarda Federation of the Socialist Party
* José Bravo Nico – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2005–2015)
* José Luís Carneiro – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (since 2005) and Chair of the Porto Federation of the Socialist Party
* José Mota Andrade, incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1995-2015) and Chair of the Bragança Federation of the Socialist Party
* Manuel Alegre – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1975–2009), candidate for President in 2006 and 2011 and candidate for the party's leadership in 2004 (changed his support to António Costa)
* Miguel Laranjeiro – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2005–2015)
* Nuno Sá – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2005–2022)
* Pedro Coimbra – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2002–2005) and Chair of the Coimbra Federation of the Socialist Party
* Rui Prudêncio – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2009–2011)

### Members of the European Parliament

* Ana Gomes – incumbent Member of the European Parliament (2004–2019)
* Carlos Zorrinho – incumbent Member of the European Parliament (2014–2024)
* Francisco Assis – incumbent Member of the European Parliament (2014–2019; 2004–2009) and candidate for the party's leadership in 2011

### Mayors

* António Borges - mayor of Resende (2002-2013) and chair of the Viseu Federation of the Socialist Party
* João Soares – former Mayor of Lisbon (1995–2001) and candidate for the party's leadership in 2004
* José Manuel Carpinteira – former Mayor of Vila Nova de Cerveira (1989–2013) and Chair of the Viana do Castelo Federation of the Socialist Party
* Manuel Machado – incumbent Mayor of Coimbra (2013–2021; 1989–2001)
* Pedro do Carmo – incumbent Mayor of Ourique (2005–2015) and Chair of the Baixo Alentejo Federation of the Socialist Party
* Rui Santos – incumbent Mayor of Vila Real (since 2013) (changed his support to António Costa)

### Individuals

* Álvaro Beleza – physician and candidate for the party's leadership in 1992
* António Lacerda Sales – physician and candidate for Chair of the Leiria Federation of the Socialist Party
* Carlos Silva – Secretary-general of the General Union of Workers (UGT)
* Francisco Rocha - Chair of the Vila Real Federation of the Socialist Party
* Eurico Brilhante Dias - University professor and member of the National Secretariat of the Socialist Party.
* Victor Freitas – Chair of the Madeira Federation of the Socialist Party

### Presidents of the Republic

* Jorge Sampaio – former President of the Republic (1996–2006) and former Secretary-general of the Socialist Party (1989–1992)
* Mário Soares – former President of the Republic (1986–1996), former Prime Minister of Portugal (1976–1978, 1983–1985), former Secretary–general of the Socialist Party (1973–1985) and founding member of the Socialist Party

### Prime Ministers

* José Sócrates – former Prime Minister (2005–2011) and former Secretary–general of the Socialist Party (2004–2011)

### Presidents of the Assembly of the Republic

* António de Almeida Santos – former President of the Assembly of the Republic (1995–2002) and former President of the Socialist Party (1992–2011)

### Ministers

* António Vitorino – former Minister of the Presidency and of Defence (1995–1997)
* Augusto Santos Silva – former Minister of Defence (2009–2011), former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (2005–2009), former Minister of Culture (2001–2002), former Minister of Education (2000–2001) and incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2002–2024)
* Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues – former Secretary-general of the Socialist Party (2002–2004), former Minister of Labour (1995–2001), former Minister of Social Infrastructure (2001–2002) and incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1985–2022)
* João Cravinho – former Minister of Territorial Administration (1995–1999)
* José António Vieira da Silva – former Minister of Economy, Innovation and Development (2009–2011), former Minister of Labour (2005–2009) and incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2011-2015)
* José Vera Jardim – former Minister of Justice (1995–1999)
* Jorge Lacão – former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (2009–2011) and incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1983–2019)
* Luís Capoulas Santos – former Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries (1998–2002), and Chair of the Évora Federation of the Socialist Party

### Members of Parliament

* Alberto Arons de Carvalho – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1975–1983; 1987–2009), former Secretary of State for Social Communication (1995–2002), former Secretary-general of the Socialist Youth (1975–1978) and founding member of the Socialist Party
* Alfredo Barroso – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1980–1987), former Secretary of State for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (1983–1985) and founding member of the Socialist Party
* Ana Catarina Mendes – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1995–2024) and Chair of the Setúbal Federation of the Socialist Party
* Ana Paula Vitorino – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2009–2015) and former Secretary of State for Transportation (2005–2009)
* Duarte Cordeiro – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2009–2013), former Secretary of State for Youth and Sports (2005–2006) and former Secretary-general of the Socialist Youth (2008–2010)
* Isabel Moreira – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (since 2011)
* João Galamba – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2009–2024)
* José Miguel Medeiros – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1999–2011) and Chair of the Leiria Federation of the Socialist Party
* José Leitão – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1976–1980; 1983–1985; 1991–2005), former Secretary-general of the Socialist Youth (1978–1981) and founding member of the Socialist Party
* Manuel Alegre – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (1975–2009), candidate for President in 2006 and 2011 and candidate for the party's leadership in 2004 (previously endorsed António José Seguro)
* Manuel Pizarro – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2005–2019) and former Secretary of State for Health (2008–2011)
* Marcos Perestrello – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2005–2009; 2011–2015), former Secretary of State for Defence and Sea Affairs (2009–2011) and Chair of the Lisbon Federation of the Socialist Party
* Pedro Delgado Alves – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (since 2011) and former Secretary-general of the Socialist Youth (2010–2012)
* Pedro Marques – former Member of the Assembly of the Republic (2009–2014) and former Secretary of State for Social Security (2005–2011)
* Pedro Nuno Santos – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (since 2005), former Secretary-general of the Socialist Youth (2004–2008) and Chair of the Aveiro Federation of the Socialist Party
* Sérgio Sousa Pinto – incumbent Member of the Assembly of the Republic (since 2009; 1995–1999) and former Secretary-general of the Socialist Youth (1994–2000)

### Members of the European Parliament

* Edite Estrela – former Member of the European Parliament (2004–2014) and former Mayor of Sintra (1993–2001)

### Mayors

* Alberto Mesquita – incumbent Mayor of Vila Franca de Xira (2013–2021)
* Berta Nunes – incumbent Mayor of Alfândega da Fé (2009–2019)
* Carla Tavares – incumbent Mayor of Amadora (2013–2024)
* Domingos Bragança – incumbent Mayor of Guimarães (since 2013)
* Fernanda Asseiceira – incumbent Mayor of Alcanena (2009–2021)
* Filipe Sousa – incumbent Mayor of Santa Cruz (since 2013) (Independent)
* Guilherme Pinto – incumbent Mayor of Matosinhos (2005–2017) (Independent)
* Isilda Gomes – incumbent Mayor of Portimão (2013–2024)
* Luís Correia – incumbent Mayor of Castelo Branco (2013–2020)
* Maria do Céu Albuquerque – incumbent Mayor of Abrantes (2009–2019)
* Rui Santos – incumbent Mayor of Vila Real (since 2013) (previously endorsed António José Seguro)
* Susana Amador – incumbent Mayor of Odivelas (2005–2015)

### Individuals

* António Victorino de Almeida – composer (Independent)
* Luís Testa – Chair of the Portalegre Federation of the Socialist Party

## Opinion polling

| Date(s) administered | Poll source | Sample size | | | Others/ Undecided | Lead |
| Date(s) administered | Poll source | Sample size | Seguro | Costa | Others/ Undecided | Lead |
| 29 Sep | Election result | 177,350 | 31.5 | 67.8 | 0.7 | 36.3 |
| 24–25 Sep | Eurosondagem | 1,001 | 33.0 | 50.4 | 16.6 | 17.4 |
| 4–9 Sep | Eurosondagem | 1,011 | 32.9 | 55.1 | 12.0 | 22.2 |
| 31 Aug–3 Sep | Aximage | 602 | 26.4 | 60.9 | 12.7 | 34.5 |
| 31 Jul–6 Aug | Eurosondagem | 1,033 | 30.0 | 59.2 | 10.8 | 29.2 |
| 3–9 Jul | Eurosondagem | 1,014 | 24.9 | 68.3 | 6.8 | 43.4 |
| 4–7 Jul | Aximage | 593 | 26.4 | 64.1 | 9.5 | 37.7 |
| 2–5 Jun | Eurosondagem | 1,025 | 36.0 | 56.2 | 7.8 | 20.2 |
| 1–4 Jun | Aximage | 608 | 19.6 | 62.8 | 17.6 | 43.2 |
| 30 May–1 Jun | Pitagórica | 506 | 18.2 | 60.5 | 21.3 | 42.3 |
| 2014 |||||||

## Results

| Candidate | Candidate | 28 September 2014 | 28 September 2014 |
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | António Costa | 120,188 | 67.77 |
| | António José Seguro | 55,928 | 31.54 |
| Total | Total | 176,116 | |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | 176,116 | 99.30 |
| Invalid and blank ballots | Invalid and blank ballots | 1,234 | 0.70 |
| Votes cast / turnout | Votes cast / turnout | 177,350 | 70.71 |
| Registered voters | Registered voters | 250,811 | |
| Source: Primárias 2014 Resultados ||||
Vote share
António Costa
67.77%
António José Seguro
31.54%
Blank/Invalid
0.70% :