The legislative election debate held on May 18, broadcast by TVI, brought Nuno Melo and Isabel Mendes Lopes to the forefront, focusing heavily on defense and international issues. Melo, serving as the National Defense Minister, criticized the Livre party for being “particularly irresponsible given the current geopolitical context.” He accused Livre of wanting to “abolish NATO” and harboring a “principled, doctrinal issue against the United States,” confusing an “ally” with a “necessarily transient administration.”
Nuno Melo advised Rui Tavares to “take off the leftist suit and wear the historian suit,” emphasizing that “the 75 years of peace ensured by NATO occurred because NATO was strong, and it was strong because of the United States.” He asserted that “anyone minimally lucid should preserve the United States in NATO” and advised accounting for costs, noting, “Livre usually lives on Mars when it comes to economy, but if they did the math, they would realize how much they would need to invest” to “create equivalent capacities from a strictly European perspective.”
In response, Isabel Mendes Lopes refuted this claim, stating that her party “does not want to end NATO” and “does not advocate for Portugal’s exit from NATO.” She noted that it was President Donald Trump who threatened to withdraw the U.S. from the organization.
Mendes Lopes called for investment in a “European defense community.” She countered that it is the government and Nuno Melo who “are living on Mars” without realizing “who is leading the White House,” arguing that “Donald Trump poses a risk to the world, to the United States, and to Europe.”
Differences on who should be held accountable for the political crisis also emerged, with Mendes Lopes blaming the Prime Minister, and Melo placing the burden on the opposition.
“The choice in these elections is very clear: Between a government that continues to exacerbate inequality and risks running a deficit, as warned by the Public Finance Council, or a progressive government that ensures greater equality in Portugal and understands Portugal’s place in the world,” Mendes Lopes stated.
Mendes Lopes also accused the government of unwillingness to address the housing issue.
Nuno Melo pointed out that “the regulation of the Housing Emergency Fund was nearing completion.” As the president of CDS, Melo listed various measures taken by the government and accused Livre of voting against beneficial measures for families, young people, and businesses.
Nuno Melo participated on behalf of AD, substituting for Prime Minister and PSD leader Luís Montenegro. In his absence, Livre nominated its spokesperson and parliamentary leader Isabel Mendes Lopes, instead of Lisbon head and spokesperson Rui Tavares, who is scheduled to participate in the remaining debates.
These absences were highlighted at the onset of the debate, with Melo suggesting that Tavares should not be concerned about debating with CDS.
“Rui Tavares believes he is running for Prime Minister. Do not let this situation go to your head; sometimes, infatuation has led many to fail,” Melo warned, emphasizing that CDS has “50 years of history and service in Portuguese democracy.”
In her rebuttal, Mendes Lopes accused Luís Montenegro of “bending the rules in his favor” and “avoiding the debate,” stating she was debating “on equal footing” with Melo.
She recalled that “the last time CDS ran alone for the Assembly of the Republic, they were not elected, while Livre was,” noting that CDS has returned to parliament “on the back of PSD.”
