National Assembly member from the Livre party, Paulo Muacho, expressed in a written statement sent to news agency Lusa that while the party respects the decision of the ERC (Regulatory Entity for the Media), it cannot agree with it. Muacho emphasized that the decision continues the discrimination against Livre compared to other political parties.
The deputy argued that the ERC’s resolution allows media outlets to potentially refrain from deciding which participants partake in debates, a situation that he believes could create a serious precedent. This precedent might enable future Prime Ministers to avoid engaging in public debates and scrutiny.
Last week, Livre lodged a complaint with both the National Electoral Commission (CNE) and the ERC against the PSD, RTP, SIC, and TVI concerning the television debate format, stating that it places them at a disadvantage.
At issue is the strategy of the AD coalition—comprising PSD and CDS-PP—to have the CDS-PP president, Nuno Melo, represent them in debates against Livre, BE, and PAN, rather than PSD leader and current Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro.
On Monday, the ERC found that it was ‘legitimate for Livre to expect a debate with the PSD leader and the top candidate of the PSD/CDS-PP coalition.’ Nonetheless, the ERC stated there is no legal barrier preventing the PSD/CDS-PP coalition from selecting either of the coalition’s leaders to participate in the debates.
The entity noted that it could not intervene in determining which party leaders participate in debates, reflecting the stance expressed in an opinion by the CNE.
The ERC emphasized that media entities, in exercising their editorial freedom and autonomy, have utilized the criterion of inviting leaders of political parties and coalitions with parliamentary representation to debates.
Accordingly, decisions on which party leaders attend debates are the responsibility of the respective candidates. Nonetheless, media outlets maintain the editorial freedom and autonomy to accept or decline the indicated leaders nominated by political parties for debates, the ERC acknowledged in its deliberation.
Televised debates commenced on Monday on TVI, featuring AD – PSD/CDS-PP Coalition and CDU, and will conclude on the 28th, with a broadcast on RTP, SIC, and TVI showcasing a head-to-head between AD – PSD/CDS-PP Coalition and PS.
In total, there will be 28 debates, split between broadcast and cable channels, as per the draw, with an additional two debates conducted by RTP.
