Macau (MNA) – The incumbent president of the Macao Lawyers Association, Jorge Neto Valente, has announced he will again be candidate for the presidency of the Association in the coming elections.
In declarations to local broadcaster TDM Radio on Thursday evening, Mr. Neto Valente said that after requests from and discussions with colleagues, he has decided to run in the December elections, claiming his platform has pooled “significative support.”
The veteran lawyer also claims that his main motivation for seeking re-election is a concern for not allowing the Association “to become a political party or union”.
He added that he will be running with the same team, although a few adjustments may be expected.
Neto Valente had been the sole candidate for the presidency of the Association for several consecutive years until Sérgio de Almeida Correia announced his candidacy last month.
As of today, Mr. Neto Valente and Mr. Almeida Correia are not being challenged by other contenders.
Candidates have until the end of October to submit their candidacy, with the elections to take place some time between December 1st and 15th.
In addition to the presidency, members will vote for other positions including General Assembly, Fiscal Council and the Superior Advocacy Council (CSA).
The Macao Lawyers Association was founded in 1991 – the statutes were published in the Official Gazette in 1989 – with its first president the late Henrique de Senna Fernandes. Maria Amélia António was appointed first Secretary General.
