In a political landscape shaped as much by long memory as by fragile parliamentary arithmetic, José Manuel Bolieiro has drawn a clear line toward the future. The president of the Regional Government of the Azores announced that Social Democratic Party (Portugal) will run independently in the 2028 regional legislative elections, bringing to a close the pre-electoral coalition model that, since 2020, has united the Social Democrats with the CDS – People’s Party and the People’s Monarchist Party.

Speaking in an interview on Antena 1’s podcast, Bolieiro emphasized that the current coalition agreement was always conceived with a defined time horizon. “The pre-electoral coalition runs through 2028. That means that, after 2028, there will be no pre-electoral coalition,” he said, framing the decision not as rupture but as continuity—an adherence to commitments previously made among the partners.

Bolieiro, who also leads the PSD in the Azores, confirmed he will stand again in the next regional elections. He sought to reassure observers that the party’s decision to run alone does not signal a breakdown in relations among the governing partners. On the contrary, he described the move as “well understood” and “loyal,” a position shared, he noted, by leaders across the coalition’s political spectrum.

The current governing arrangement traces back to the snap elections of February 4, 2024, when the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition secured 26 seats—short of an outright majority in the regional parliament. The Socialist Party (Portugal) followed closely with 23 seats, while Chega captured five mandates. Left Bloc, Liberal Initiative, and People-Animals-Nature each elected one deputy. Bolieiro’s government was sworn in on March 4, 2024, and has since governed through a framework of parliamentary agreements—an arrangement that has become characteristic of Azorean politics in recent years.

On internal dynamics, Bolieiro dismissed speculation of tension with Artur Lima, vice-president of the government and regional leader of CDS-PP. “Relations are good,” he said, rejecting claims that Lima wields disproportionate influence within the executive. Bolieiro reiterated that leadership remains firmly in his hands and that the government’s program—approved by the Azorean Legislative Assembly—continues to follow his strategic direction. “I am the one who leads the government,” he stated, underscoring a leadership style grounded in political loyalty and adherence to the legislature’s mandate.

The early clarification of the 2028 electoral landscape introduces a new phase in Azorean politics. By signaling the end of pre-electoral coalitions on the right, Bolieiro effectively resets the terms of competition in an archipelago where parliamentary balance—and the necessity of negotiation—has defined governance since 2020. What emerges is not merely a tactical shift, but a reconfiguration of political rhythm: a return to party identity ahead of the ballot, even as the realities of coalition governance are likely to persist afterward.

Translated and adapted from Diário dos Açores-Paulo Vivieiros, director.