Former PSD president and current member of the Council of State, Luís Marques Mendes, spoke to journalists during his visit to the ‘Book Festival’. He addressed questions concerning the Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s family company, ‘Spinumviva,’ referring these to the Attorney General’s Office (PGR).
Commenting on the ‘Book Festival’ held in the gardens of the Palácio de Belém, Marques Mendes praised it as “a great idea” initiated by the head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
“It’s a notion that appeals to the Portuguese. If I become President of the Republic, I will continue the book festival in Belém. Good ideas should be maintained and not altered. We need to further encourage reading habits, and this initiative by the President of the Republic deserves praise,” he highlighted.
During his tour of the booksellers’ stands, Marques Mendes mentioned purchasing two books: one on emotional intelligence, which “is always very important, especially in these times; and another on media and the public service role of media.”
Regarding public service in the field of information, the presidential candidate emphasized that he is very interested in this topic and has contributed to its discussion.
When confronted with a statement by Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, suggesting that RTP can achieve more with less, Marques Mendes responded, “That’s always possible, as it often comes down to management and organization.”
“However, that doesn’t mean we should divest from public service. That’s not a good principle,” he warned.
For Luís Marques Mendes, “public service in media is a course of action that should be preserved for the future and invested in. Now, obviously, since public resources are always limited, if we can manage better, all the better. But this applies to media, public education, and the National Health Service,” he added.
Regarding the matter involving the Prime Minister’s family business, the presidential candidate stated that it is being investigated under a preventive inquiry by the PGR.
“Common sense dictates that we await the PGR’s decision. Whether it will be filed away or not, I believe it is a matter of basic common sense not to comment until then,” he mentioned.
