In the late afternoon, supporters of the AD coalition (PSD/CDS-PP) commenced their public engagement activities at the courthouse instead of the previously scheduled Temple of Diana.
The AD campaign leadership noted that this adjustment was discussed with the PS to ensure that each group could conduct its walk-around and rally in Évora on the same day at the same time.
Near the end of the street interactions, which lasted just over half an hour, Luís Montenegro and the top candidate for Évora, Francisco Figueira, paused at a café, during which the Prime Minister was asked about the event.
“I don’t know if the route is the same; it seemed there was a part of it. If we had crossed paths, it would have been normal; if not, that would have been fine too,” he remarked, downplaying the matter.
When asked what he would have said to PS Secretary-General Pedro Nuno Santos if they had encountered each other in Évora, he replied, “I would say ‘good campaign,’ which is what I have been saying and what we all wish for each other.”
In the midst of a typically hectic walkabout, characteristic of Évora’s narrow streets, Montenegro faced questions from television reporters, first about who was responsible for prompting the elections.
“The oppositions were the ones who brought down the government,” he replied.
Later, another channel questioned whether Évora presented a difficult battleground, to which Montenegro countered that AD is “very optimistic everywhere.”
“There are no easy or difficult fields; where there is a person, it is our obligation to fight for their trust,” he stated.
As is customary during AD’s street engagements, Montenegro was seen giving kisses, posing for selfies, and even holding a baby while donning a traditional Alentejo coat for photos.
Always accompanied by the youth factions of PSD and CDS-PP and the campaign anthems playing loudly, the coalition leader took advantage of elevated spots like stairs or store thresholds to strike a victory pose and sing along with supporters.
In Praça do Giraldo, the entourage paused briefly to the sound of the anthem “Let Luís Work,” with Montenegro responding, “Everyone work with me,” he urged.
In 2024, the AD secured one of the three parliamentary seats in the Évora district, trailing the PS but slightly ahead of Chega in terms of votes.
