António Filipe, a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic, affirmed on Friday that if elected, he would strictly adhere to the Constitution, describing this duty as fundamental for a head of state.
In an interview with RTP, the candidate supported by the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) highlighted that “what is expected of a President of the Republic is to exercise the powers given by the Constitution,” ensuring its protection and vigilance. However, he underlined that he does not hide his political inclinations: he is, and has always been, a communist.
A Far-Right Government? “Logical Impossibility”
When asked about his course of action if faced with a scenario where a far-right government emerged from legislative elections with an absolute majority, António Filipe dismissed the question as a “logical impossibility.” He explained, “It is unlikely that the same electorate would elect a President from the communist wing and a government from Chega,” and acknowledged that in such a case, “I cannot conjure a prime minister who does not exist.”
He also recalled the example of the Geringonça in 2015, illustrating a governmental solution that served as an alternative to leadership by the most voted party. “Whatever the governmental solution, if the President has to coexist with a politically adverse government, they must fulfill their role,” he emphasized.
“It is evident that I will do everything to prevent far-right parties from forming governments in Portugal,” he further noted.
Regardless, his primary responsibility, regardless of which party is in power, would be to act as a “watchdog”: “The President of the Republic is the ultimate guardian of the Constitution […], of the democratic regime.”
“Portuguese Made Wrong Choices”
In the announcement of his candidacy, he reminded that at that time, the candidacies of Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Luís Marques Mendes, and António José Seguro (who initially did not define himself as a Left candidate) were already known. This, along with the fact that all sovereign bodies are currently led by the right, motivated his decision to run for office.
“The Portuguese have discernment, but they made choices that I mostly consider wrong,” he confessed, referring to the dominance of the Right in most power structures. “They are legitimate – just as it is legitimate for me to aim to rebalance this through the will of the people. In other words, I believe the Portuguese have the opportunity to elect a Left President who can serve as a counterbalance.”
The candidate also pledged to be a President who “does not conform to the state of affairs,” particularly concerning issues in health, housing access, and even the lives of workers “who become poorer while working.”
“I must be concerned about this, and I think the President should be concerned, and should use their competencies to exercise their influence and constitutional powers to alter this state of affairs,” he stressed, adding, “We cannot feel at ease or comfortable with the situation the Portuguese people are experiencing.”
António Filipe further argued that for him, a head of state “should not conceal their opinions from the Portuguese: they should be straightforward, speak clearly, and not hide behind political tactics.”
“Even if the President’s political veto is overridden,” they should still convey their opinion to the deputies and “should be forthright, should confront the Assembly of the Republic with their opinion if they consider that the approved legislation goes against what they believe to be in the interest of the Portuguese people.”
António Filipe Opposes Financial and Military Support to Ukraine
In the international arena, the candidate stressed that he “would not be in the Presidency of the Republic wearing a party jersey,” when questioned about his stance on the Ukraine war. However, he admitted his disagreement with the military and financial support the European Union (EU), including Portugal, has provided to Kyiv since the beginning of the war.
“It is not by fueling the war that we put an end to it,” he argued. “The best assistance Portugal could offer Ukraine would be to collaborate towards a peace effort that finally ends the war, and then we can discuss calmly,” he stated.
Regarding Portugal’s position within European organizations, particularly NATO and the EU, the candidate suggested that the country “should have its own voice” and “not subordinate its defense or foreign policy to supranational interests or to the interests of more relevant or powerful nations.”
“Read My Lips: I’m Not Going to Quit”
António Filipe, who considered himself a candidate capable of bringing together the Left, was clear about his determination not to withdraw from the race.
“Categorically, and let this be clear, read my lips: I am not going to quit. I will go to the first round with the ambition of reaching the second.”
When questioned about potential scenarios with different outcomes, António Filipe dismissed such comments, likening the situation to playing Totobola.
