The two candidates for the presidency faced off today in a debate broadcast on RTP, ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for January 18.
António Filipe began by warmly greeting “the workers who will participate in the general strike on the 11th against the labor package,” asserting that it is “serious enough for workers to fight against it,” and criticized the opponent for being close to the “neoliberal consensus that has led the country to its current situation.”
The candidate supported by PCP indicated he might ask the Constitutional Court for precautionary review of some policies and politically veto others he deems “detrimental to workers’ rights and the country.”
Jorge Pinto contended that “the general strike on the 11th will clearly demonstrate how much the Portuguese are against these proposed changes.”
In his view, the candidate supported by Livre believes the PSD/CDS-PP Government wants “more precariousness, more ease of dismissal, to end collective bargaining, and even to weaken the right to strike.”
Referring to The Economist’s accolade of Portugal as the “best economy of the year,” the Livre deputy commented that “those indicators are worth what they are worth” and advocated for an economic model focused on “science, technology, innovation, high value-added, and high salaries.”
Regarding the Euthanasia law, both candidates agreed it does not need to return to the Assembly of the Republic.
The communist stated that “the unconstitutionality issues are removable through regulation,” and although he disagrees with medically assisted death, he respects the parliament’s decision.
If he were Head of State, António Filipe noted he would have promulgated the law and inquired when the Government plans to regulate it.
Jorge Pinto argued that the “law should be regulated and not shelved due to government inaction.”
Concerning the European Union, the former PCP deputy declared himself a “patriot and not ‘eurodependent.'”
“I believe that Portugal naturally must respect its international commitments, but it must have its own voice in the international organizations it participates in and not uncritically accept everything from the European Union,” he asserted.
The Livre deputy identified as a “critical Europeanist, not a Euroskeptic,” emphasizing that “being a patriot today means wanting to have a voice within the European project because it is the only way to have an autonomous voice in this multipolar world.”
Ukraine? “What surprises me is that you are not by my side”
The Ukraine war was another issue dividing these two left-wing candidates.
“What surprises me is that you are not by my side concerning Ukraine, where there is also an invader and an invaded country with complete clarity. And I have never heard António Filipe firmly attack and criticize oppressors in other scenarios the way he does with Putin and Ukraine,” Jorge Pinto criticized.
“Regarding Ukraine, my position is neither Putin nor Zelensky,” responded António Filipe, suggesting that the European Union is “finding excuses to try and continue the war.”
It is impossible to “condition voters’ choices through fear”
A potential left-wing convergence was another topic discussed in the debate, with António Filipe reflecting that when António José Seguro entered the race, “the idea of a candidate capable of winning in the first round became imaginary,” and he rejected the idea of tactical voting, arguing that it is impossible to “condition voters’ choices through fear.”
Jorge Pinto claimed he is “doing a tremendous favor to the left,” believing he can attract votes from the undecided that might otherwise go to Gouveia e Melo.
