“We aim to boost our representation, but most importantly, we want the values of PAN to be present in various municipalities,” stated Inês Sousa Real during a campaign event for Porto City Council candidate Filipe Araújo, whose independent candidacy is supported by the party.
When asked about specific goals for these local elections, the sole member of the Assembly of the Republic expressed the intention to elect councilors while acknowledging that the country is experiencing “very complex times” with a shift to the right.
“We know we are living in very complex times (…) there is a shift of the country to the right and far-right. But what we would like to appeal to people is not to rely on the opportunistic promises these parties make regarding their frustrations, as they won’t solve the nation’s problems.”
Inês Sousa Real urged people to “vote for causes and values” and emphasized that it must not be allowed for “parties seeking to capture people’s dissatisfaction to turn it into discredit and also hopelessness about the possibility of change.”
“Not all parties are the same, nor are all politicians,” she stated.
During the presentation of Filipe Araújo’s election manifesto for Porto City Council, Inês Sousa Real noted it was “very easy” to reach an agreement with the independent candidate because he presented “a candidacy committed to a greener city for future generations” that also “does not leave behind” the animal cause.
After highlighting the growing “disinterest” in politics among people, the PAN leader reiterated the significance of “not giving up on local power, because it is absolutely essential for helping the most vulnerable” and that this is a “proximity power that makes a difference.”
