Jorge Pinto, 38, a deputy for Livre, spoke at the launch of his presidential candidacy in Amarante, his hometown in the Porto district.
Pinto explained his decision to run stemmed from the absence of a non-partisan candidacy capable of uniting the Left and reclaiming the Presidency of the Republic.
He emphasized the necessity of his candidacy, describing it as one of democratic, ecologist, pro-European, regionalist, and globalist Left—a feminist, anti-racist campaign, staunchly defending human rights, dignity, and decency.
“We need this, and I couldn’t turn away from this fight. Today, I am very convinced that this was the right decision. My candidacy, our candidacy, will be a distinctive voice in these elections,” he asserted, declaring his pride in being Leftist and that “the Left is not a drawer but a window.”
In a context where the country faces a parliamentary majority of more than two-thirds right and far-right, both regional governments leaning right, and cities like Lisbon, Porto, and Braga under right-wing leadership, Pinto underscored the particular importance of this presidential election.
“Because we need a President of the Republic who is a democratic counterbalance. A President who has the courage and clarity to act if our regime and its foundations are threatened,” he stressed.
On this note, he made his “first promise.”
“If there is an attempt in parliament for a drastic revision of our Constitution, led solely by the right and far-right, a revision which was not put to elections, not part of the electoral campaign, and not discussed with the Portuguese people, I promise to call the Portuguese back to the polls so that this discussion takes place and so that the Portuguese can voice whether they are comfortable with a drastic revision of our Constitution,” he assured.
