“The Socialist Party (PS) asks for one more vote to later govern with votes from the Social Democratic Party (PSD). PSD asks for one more vote to later govern with votes from PS. The central bloc does not stand out and does not serve us. What serves us is the strength of solutions, and that is the Bloco de Esquerda (BE),” stated Catarina Martins at the opening of the Left Bloc’s rally, marking the official campaign launch at “Incrível Almadense” in Almada, Setúbal.
Catarina Martins, a former actress, returned to the stage to energize the BE at this start, at a rally attended by about two hundred people, including the party’s three founders seated in the audience, who are returning to BE’s lists in these snap elections more than a decade later: Francisco Louçã (Braga), Fernando Rosas (Leiria), and Luís Fazenda (Aveiro).
“BE will not shy away from any solution as we have already proven; we will not abandon anyone in this campaign nor the day after the campaign. We are here to fight the entire battle,” she asserted.
Focusing on one of the main issues for the party’s electoral campaign, Catarina Martins expressed concern over the housing crisis the country is facing and again criticized the PS and PSD.
“We see PSD saying they will do now what António Costa proposed around ten years ago, but this time it will happen. Then Pedro Nuno Santos agrees with the AD [Democratic Alliance], suggesting they continue doing the same with no results, hoping one day it might,” she accused.
The Left Bloc leader criticized those who oppose the BE’s proposal to impose rent caps, voicing her remarks with a hint of sarcasm.
“When Mariana explains how simple measures like rent caps can make a difference, everyone sees problems. Poor landlord, poor speculator, let’s not cause them any harm,” she said, urging the party to conduct a “courageous campaign.”
The MEP also criticized the government’s announcement of expelling approximately 18,000 immigrants in the coming weeks, calling it a distraction from the ‘Spinumviva’ case and a recently disclosed client list.
“It’s the far-right’s strategy: when they have no response and are caught up, they try to find some scapegoat nearby. But we know here that no one saves themselves alone,” she affirmed.
Before the session titled “The European Left with the Bloco,” during which speeches were given by Li Andersson (Left Alliance/Finland), Irene Montero (Podemos), Manon Aubry (La France Insoumise), and Mariana Mortágua, the party’s top candidate for Setúbal and member of parliament, Joana Mortágua, highlighted that BE “did not plan” to have six women speaking at the first rally, “but it happened.”
Joana Mortágua emphasized the feminist heritage of the Left Bloc, stating that “there is no feminist achievement in the country that does not have BE’s imprint.”
The leader also sent “a message” to Luís Montenegro: “Anyone who downplays the numbers of domestic violence because it’s convenient should not serve as prime minister.”
“Anyone who downplays the greatest public security issue in this country, which is machismo, because it’s more convenient for them to push another narrative on crime, should not lead a government in this country,” she criticized.
Joana Mortágua stressed that on May 18, “the vote for women’s freedom is a BE vote.”
