On the first official day of the campaign for the legislative elections on May 18, Pedro Nuno Santos made a call for mobilization against the AD during his speech at Teatro Jordão, in Guimarães, following a brief walkabout whose plans were disrupted by rain.
“And for us to win the elections, no one should waste their vote. Only a vote for the PS can ensure the defeat of the AD and secure change in Portugal,” he declared towards the end of his address.
The PS leader urged a consolidation of votes within the PS to “defeat the AD and begin a new chapter in Portugal”.
The PS secretary-general revisited the issue of “political integrity” and emphasized that “politicians and prime ministers should not fear scrutiny” and must be transparent.
“They must acknowledge their mistakes. They have to apologize to the Portuguese when they make errors. That’s how a politician should be,” he remarked.
Pedro Nuno Santos used this moment to outline what he considered to be “a significant difference between the socialists and the AD”.
“Dear comrades, I am leaving for Lisbon with a full heart because of how you received me here in Guimarães,” he expressed gratitude, urging socialists to fight tirelessly over the upcoming weeks of the campaign for victory.
With drummers setting the pace and moving quickly due to the rain, the PS leader was welcomed in Guimarães by his former internal opponent and head of the Braga list, José Luís Carneiro, with whom he played the drum for a while.
“Come rain or shine, the PS is on the streets,” supporters chanted, later gathering in the theatre to listen to the PS leader, who received a bouquet of roses.
Pedro Nuno Santos then departed Guimarães for Lisbon, where he was scheduled to participate in a televised debate with all parliamentary parties.
