During a visit to the Livramento Market in Setúbal, Rui Rocha emphasized the necessity for a “strengthening of the vote for IL” to ensure that the nation can carry out “the reforms it needs, which the left has generally blocked in recent years.”
“There is no reformist intent on the part of the left. The left is responsible for bringing the country to decades of stagnation. It is time for a truly reformist center-right solution, and for that, the right vote is a vote for IL,” Rocha stated.
Rui Rocha also predicted that “the next elections will most likely result in a defeat for the left,” making the decision facing Portuguese voters on May 18 “a very important one.”
“It is a question of whether, among the available options, the Portuguese prefer to maintain the status quo, or if they truly desire a reformist, ambitious Portugal, willing to take the necessary measures,” he noted.
The IL leader assured voters that his party is responsible and “ready for the moment,” unlike others “who prioritize their own political-party agendas.”
When questioned about the possibility of joining a post-election coalition with AD, Rui Rocha affirmed that IL “has a pact with the Portuguese” and reiterated, “this time, it must be to reform the country.”
“We cannot miss more opportunities. Therefore, we are ready for the country, ready for governmental stability, but we are demanding. We want the country to change,” he said, emphasizing that IL seeks “more houses for those in need,” “greater access to healthcare,” and “lower taxes” for individuals and businesses.
“These are IL’s rules. We do not forgo them because they are rules that effect change in the country, and thus we are committed to change,” he stressed, adding that it is essential to inquire if PSD and AD are prepared to follow this path.
“Are they available to reform the country? To change what needs to be changed? Because, so far, we haven’t observed this reformist zeal from AD. Therefore, IL is where it has always been: alongside the Portuguese, for change, for reform, for the country’s political stability,” he stated.
Asked if he feels ‘Montenegrized’ in this campaign, Rui Rocha replied, “I feel permanently liberalized, and our path is one of bringing forth liberal measures and proposals.”
“The question is the other way around: who has the ambition, the courage, the reformist spirit to join us, as we will not wait for anyone,” he asserted.
