The debate between the Social Democratic Party and CDS-PP coalition (AD) and the People-Animals-Nature Party (PAN), broadcast by SIC, was one where Nuno Melo stood in for Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to represent the coalition. Melo aimed to defend the governance outcomes achieved in 11 months.
“Promises were made a year ago, and the results of governance exceeded all expectations (…) The prophets of doom were met with positive outcomes contrary to predictions: the Prime Minister is the same, the Finance Minister is the same. If we’re given four years, we’ll do even more,” Melo asserted when faced with the more pessimistic forecasts from independent institutions about the economy compared to AD’s electoral program.
The CDS-PP leader particularly emphasized the agreements enhancing “19 careers” signed over the past year: “We managed to end the dream of any leftist, that constant social unrest in the streets. (…) All these socio-professional classes are better off today, and the streets are calm because AD and the government have eased societal tensions,” he stated.
At the debate’s conclusion, Inês Sousa Real was queried on her willingness to be a “balance pointer” after the early elections on May 18, either to the left or the right.
“Concerning Luís Montenegro’s government and its policies, it’s difficult: when we have a government supporting the reduction of VAT on bullfights and animal torture, turning its back on domestic violence victims or not addressing rape crime issues,” she responded.
Throughout the debate, housing problems were addressed, with Nuno Melo criticizing “some left” for reviving rent limitation proposals reminiscent of Oliveira Salazar’s 1948 policies.
The PAN leader argued that, in these matters, the Socialist Party and Social Democrats “are the same, promise much and achieve little,” while seizing the moment to highlight immigration, accusing AD of fostering “false perceptions” and advocating for the previous mechanism of expressing interests.
Contrarily, Nuno Melo associated PAN with an extremist view on the matter, akin to Chega: “For PAN, everyone is welcome. For Chega, nobody is allowed in.”
On defense issues, Inês Sousa Real argued that Portugal’s primary focus should be on training and humanitarian missions, highlighting the nation’s lack of competitiveness in the arms industry. This prompted the CDS-PP leader and defense minister to sarcastically question if the country should “pass the ball to the big players.”
“Are others going to defend us? And if our military needs to fight, what will they fight with?” he questioned, arguing that the defense industries could represent an “economic opportunity.”
Wrapping up the debate, which ran over the agreed 30 minutes among the broadcasters, the two clashed, as usual, on the subject of bullfights.
“Most Portuguese do not agree with bullfights being publicly funded, as done by the AD government,” Sousa Real claimed.
“I am not a dictator of consciences, I do not intend to impose my lifestyle on others. Surely I don’t have to accept PAN’s lifestyle; I am omnivorous and intend to remain so,” countered Nuno Melo.
