“The President of the Republic must be relentless in defending stability. The primary function of a president is to ensure stability. This mainly involves encouraging parties and governments to negotiate State Budgets,” stated this morning during an intervention at the NEXXT event in Leiria.
In the initiative dedicated to artificial intelligence and creativity applied to society and business, Luís Marques Mendes focused on education and the economy. He went further, using the opportunity to evaluate the country and present what he considered to be his strengths ahead of the presidential elections on January 18.
“We are on a good path. The approval of the State Budget [2026] is a good example,” said the candidate, noting that on Tuesday “it went wonderfully,” with “a State Budget approved without drama” in general terms.
“Will it be like this in a year? I don’t know, I have doubts. In two years? Even more doubts. This is where a President of the Republic comes in: having the ability to foresee events,” he stated, leveraging his political capital and experience. “I spent 22 years in political life – and then 18 years outside – building consensus and understanding,” he recalled.
The former social-democratic leader highlighted his actions in the three governments of Aníbal Cavaco Silva, where he was involved in “the merger of two news agencies, the creation of RTP International, enabling emigrants to vote in presidential elections – which was not possible – and a pact for Justice.”
Marques Mendes intends to use this experience “to prevent crises” and “to build bridges and consensus to solve issues hindering the country’s development.”
“I am a party man, but the country is more important than party circumstances. It is essential to bring the Government and parties to the same table to attempt to overcome some impasses and blockages that have existed in Portugal for years. We must change the method, the paradigm. We need to have a constructive, positive perspective,” he emphasized.
In Leiria, the candidate supported by PSD called for “national ambition”:
“It is not greed: it is a dream, audacity, will, pride. Don’t come with the idea of one or another doom prophet saying we are a small country. Quite frankly: if someone is small, that’s me!”
He supplemented the humorous remark:
“But don’t worry because in the Presidency of the Republic, it is not the president’s height that counts: what matters is whether he is up to the challenges and events.”
