PORTUGUESE SOCIALISTS RATIFY CONTINUED SOCRATES

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000133

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE SOCIALISTS RATIFY CONTINUED SOCRATES
LEADERSHIP

REF: LISBON 0088

Classified By: Gary B. Applegarth, Pol-Econ Officer, Reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. Portugal's ruling Socialist Party was fully
behind party Secretary General (and current Prime Minister)
Jose Socrates during the February 27-March 1 party
convention. Socrates used the occasion, which was
particularly harmonious due to the absence of combative PS
leftist Manuel Alegre, to promote Socialist programs to
combat the effects of the global financial crisis and
increase Portuguese competitiveness. The Socialists are
poised to do well in three rounds of elections later this
year. END SUMMARY.

SOCRATES DISMISSES OPPOSITION, PROMOTES PS PROGRAM
-------------- --------------

2. (C) The Socialist Party (PS) convention held in the town
of Espinho February 27-March 1 was a convincing show of
support for PS Secretary General (and current Prime Minister)
Jose Socrates. Socrates came to the convention riding a wave
of party support, having been reaffirmed as PS leader in an
internal election two weeks ago with 96 percent of votes cast
by party faithful. Dismissing the major opposition Social
Democrats (PSD) as a party "without proposals", Socrates used
the convention as a platform for promoting PS programs to
combat the effects of the global financial crisis through a
sound financial system, stimulative public investment, and
protection for businesses, workers, and families. Socrates
also announced PS initiatives to extend compulsory education
from nine to twelve years and to "eliminate discrimination"
against same-sex marriage.

FREEPORT? WHAT'S THAT?
--------------

3. (C) Portuguese and British authorities continue to
investigate Socrates' alleged influence peddling regarding
the Freeport shopping mall development (reftel),but the
charges have had no traction within the PS. "Freeport" was
never specifically mentioned throughout the convention, and
Socrates instead decried the "black campaigns" waged against
him and pledged to run in support of "ethics" and to "fight
for decency and democracy."

ALEGRESAURUS ABSENTUS
--------------

4. (C/NOFORN) PS leftist dinosaur Manuel Alegre skipped the
convention, ostensibly in favor of a hunting trip. In his
absence, there was little opposition to Socrates and his
centrists. Every issue taken up by the convention passed by
a large majority. Alegre, a Socialist since his return from
exile after the 1974 revolution, is among the most
left-leaning members of the PS and has been an outspoken
critic of PM Socrates since his own failed bid for party
leadership in 2004. In 2005, after failing to capture the PS
nomination for president, Alegre ran as an independent and
collected over 20 percent of the vote, second only to winner
Cavaco Silva of the PSD.


5. (C/NOFORN) Although Alegre's absence contributed to the
harmony of this week's convention, keeping him in the PS fold
remains a party priority and PS speakers noticeably avoided
offending him in their remarks.

COMMENT
--------------

6. (C) The PS convention was an important ritual for the PS
and the political media, though perhaps not for the public at
large. Little was displayed beyond strong PS support for PM
Socrates, and his comments on the PS agenda lacked sufficient
detail to form a persuasive argument for undecided voters.
However, barring substantial new revelations about the
Freeport scandal or PS missteps, the Socialists appear
well-positioned to maintain their parliamentary majority
following the upcoming elections. The only marginally
controversial item was gay marriage, which the PS tried to
defuse by referring to it as an end to discrimination. Like
divorce and abortion in the past, this issue creates a
tension between Portugal's modern European mores and its
strong Catholic roots, and we expect the right-of-center PSD
will use the issue to appeal to Portuguese conservative
traditions. End comment.


For more reporting from EMBASSY Lisbon and information about Portugal,
please see our Intelink site:

http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal

STEPHENSON