“We have done more than our part,” remarked Jerónimo de Sousa when questioned by journalists about whether the party should have engaged more with other leftist forces before today’s rally at Pavilhão Carlos Lopes in Lisbon.
Looking ahead, the former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Portugal (PCP) affirmed that forming a political alternative would be necessary amid the country’s complex situation.
“But this unwavering confidence is not just campaign talk or circumstantial rhetoric. It is a deep-rooted conviction that things will not always be this way, and one day, we will have a better country through the fight for democracy, higher wages, and more rights. If we achieve that, we will have won the battle,” he stated.
In response to questions regarding current leadership, Jerónimo de Sousa described Paulo Raimundo as “an extraordinary surprise,” noting the concerns of those who predicted party defeat after his selection.
“This CDU is essential for Portugal, and this is what we are striving to affirm,” commented the former communist leader, reiterating his confidence in the future and asserting the worthiness of persistence despite potential challenges.
Jerónimo de Sousa emphasized the party’s commitment, saying that the PCP has “a great desire not to turn back from the fight, not to lower the flag, not to shy away from difficulties.”
As a party with over 100 years of history, it remains “ready to continue the struggle,” he noted, stressing the PCP’s engagement in the fight “with courage, with determination, regardless of the challenges.”
