During a pre-campaign debate for the presidential elections on SIC, António José Seguro and Admiral Gouveia e Melo engaged in a tense confrontation. The initial 14 minutes were marked by accusations, though a period of agreement on state policies, particularly justice, followed.
Former PS Secretary-General Seguro stated that Portugal requires a President with political experience, “who doesn’t come in to improvise or learn on the job.”
Admiral Gouveia e Melo, the ex-chief of staff of the Navy, retorted sharply, criticizing Seguro, the PS-backed candidate, as “not a leader for modern times,” insecure, and merely aiming to “revive his political career” after 11 years of absence.
“Eleven years ago, Dr. Mário Soares clearly said you were insecure and voters shouldn’t trust you,” Gouveia e Melo reiterated.
Challenging Seguro’s claim of inexperience, the admiral cited his experience with missions after the 2017 Pedrógão fire and coordinating the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
“I’m not a career politician; I’m a results-driven professional,” Gouveia e Melo asserted.
Seguro countered by recalling an incident in Madeira, accusing Gouveia e Melo of humiliating military personnel publicly.
“Leadership in democracy isn’t about giving orders. It’s about making compromises, forming alliances, and promoting consensus, which our country needs. Your actions in Madeira disqualify you from the candidacy, not to mention the presidency,” Seguro argued, with the admiral defending his actions as necessary to avert “a dangerous spark” within the Armed Forces.
In the debate’s progression, Seguro alleged that Gouveia e Melo was aligned with the PSD, Chega, and CDS political factions.
“Who met with the CDS leader [Nuno Melo] at a night bar in Lisbon? You did. Who had a secret lunch with the Chega leader [André Ventura]? You did. Who appointed a former PSD leader [Rui Rio] as his representative? You did. CDS, Chega, PSD, all together, is what you stand for,” Seguro claimed.
Gouveia e Melo retorted that he also represents “the PS political field,” describing his opponent as part of “a faction of the PS.”
“You can’t even gain full support from the PS. Hence your concern with these attacks on me,” the admiral retaliated.
