“I think my attorney, José Miguel Júdice, aptly described that people who vote for me do so because they believe in my candidacy, while many vote for other candidates out of resignation, feeling they have no alternative. Therefore, it is a good time to begin dismantling what will surely be a strong appeal for tactical voting,” he told journalists.
He continued, “Tactical voting is essentially asking people to vote for their second choice, and those who do so cannot expect to have a first-rate country.”
“Tactical voting has been responsible, in many elections, for Portugal’s political class and future choices being mediocre. In these Presidential elections, being more personalized with two rounds, tactical voting is particularly pointless,” justified the candidate backed by the Liberal Initiative (IL) after a visit to the Azores Manufacturing Center on the island of São Miguel.
Cotrim also mentioned that he will continue doing what he has been doing “for a month and a half”: “Focusing on my campaign, on a positive message, confidence in the Portuguese, and the capability to make a better country.”
“I am confident that, by January 18, this will be enough to gain the necessary support to reach the second round,” he admitted.
When asked if his message is reaching the electorate, the presidential candidate responded that he clearly notices it is happening.
“I wish you could feel what I feel when I’m on the ground, observing basic reactions to events, debates, and initiatives. It’s absolutely overwhelming. I’m now in my eighth or ninth campaign. I know how to distinguish a good campaign from a great campaign, and this one is indeed going exceptionally well,” stated João Cotrim de Figueiredo.
Regarding the DN/Aximage poll released today, placing him in fourth position, with André Ventura leading, followed by Marques Mendes and Gouveia e Melo, he pointed out that his candidacy is “the only one growing.”
He also highlighted that it is the only one supported by a party capable of “attracting votes from the PSD, the PS, the CDS, Chega, IL naturally, and people who are not affiliated with any party and maybe were not mobilized by these presidential elections.”
“That is the joy I find in this campaign. Reaching people who normally wouldn’t be interested in politics, or who are interested in politics from other perspectives, and who see hope and strength and growth in this campaign. I always said I would make it to the second round with all these possibilities, and I continue to say so; the data is there,” he admitted.
Regarding the press conference held on Monday by the Minister of Health about the increase in flu activity, the presidential candidate noted the positive aspect of “anticipating problems,” but “the underlying issue remains” concerning the fact that the National Health System is not prepared for “these peaks.”
“And when the public is warned that we might have eight weeks of concern and stress and pressure on the system, it means the system is not, in fact, prepared for such times. It’s known that during winter, we will have more frequent and severe respiratory diseases and infections,” he justified.
