During an interview, Cotrim Figueiredo expressed his confidence in reaching the second round of the presidential elections. He highlighted electoral analysis indicating that about 60% of voters, including 30% undecided and another 25% open to changing their votes, might support his candidacy.
“My electoral base—last time I ran was in the European elections—is 9%. What is needed to advance to the second round? No one is sure. Is it 20%, 21%, or 23%? I don’t know. So, I need to gain 13% from the 60% available. It’s not impossible,” he stated.
The presidential candidate, backed by IL, noted receiving support from various political backgrounds, excluding parties to the left of PS. He stated his campaign primarily targets voters from the center-left to the center-right.
When asked about his main competitors for voter support, Cotrim Figueiredo said he could not yet identify them precisely but mentioned receiving backing mainly from the supporters of Luís Marques Mendes and António José Seguro, as well as younger voters, including those of André Ventura.
“Interestingly, what pleases me—and I’ve noticed displeases the president of Chega—is that many young Chega supporters understand that indignation is attractive, entertaining on TikTok, but solves nothing,” he remarked.
Cotrim Figueiredo thus acknowledged his focus on drawing voters from the bases of Marques Mendes, Seguro, and Ventura, noting that such shifts have already started occurring.
“Additionally, I have areas that are not yet occupied or, let’s say, decided: the 30% undecided and a percentage of people who may be enticed to leave apathy, participate in a campaign they finally feel is worth it,” he added.
Regarding his vision as President of the Republic, Cotrim Figueiredo identified most with former president General Ramalho Eanes, specifically during his first term, before Eanes “lost himself in a more interventionist vision, almost like a caudillo who wanted to form a party.”
In his first term, “he was independent, courageous, providing the necessary backing to the governments and parliaments of the time to make those changes. And I think it is important for the President of the Republic to do that,” he stated.
On Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s two presidencies, Cotrim Figueiredo made a “globally negative” assessment, believing that the current President “did not inspire the Portuguese to do what was necessary.”
“Which is to be much more aware of the importance they will have, by participating in civic, political, and cultural life, in solving the problems Portugal will face,” he stated.
