At the presentation of the book “Luís Marques Mendes – uma vida política” by Luís Rosa, former minister Miguel Relvas stated that the PSD/CDS-PP candidate “is the one best suited to fulfill the role.”
Pacheco Pereira asserted the importance of the former PSD leader advancing to the second round, emphasizing that this is his main concern.
“It is vital because Marques Mendes is perceived as a candidate of the system, one of the most ambiguous terms in Portuguese politics. When associated with the system, at 50 years old, it essentially implies that the system is democracy,” he stated.
For the former PSD parliamentary leader, “the presidential duties in the coming years will focus on defending democracy.”
“Under these conditions, considering the second round and transitioning from the first to the second round, with an obligation to defend democracy, Marques Mendes is the best candidate under these circumstances,” he remarked.
When asked if his support was more due to the current situation or a belief in the candidate’s qualities, he replied it was for both reasons, admitting he disagrees with Luís Marques Mendes on some issues, notably labor laws.
“But, from my perspective, that is irrelevant to this issue of defending democracy (…) Political decisions are made in the context of the current situation,” he said.
Pacheco Pereira warned of a negative scenario if Marques Mendes doesn’t reach the second round against his most likely opponent, Chega leader André Ventura, which he believes would signify a rise in populism and “an attack on democracy.”
“Associating 50 years of corruption and perversions with the system is essentially an attack on democracy. The threat to democracy is the main factor in Portuguese political life,” he added.
Former minister under Pedro Passos Coelho, Miguel Relvas, expressed knowing Marques Mendes for many years and praised his “sense of statehood” demonstrated during his PSD and Government roles.
“As the campaign and debates have shown, he indeed is the one best positioned to be President of the Republic under this framework and with these candidates,” he said.
Asked if his presence indicated part of the ‘passismo’ supports Marques Mendes, Relvas stated he spoke solely in a personal capacity.
“I don’t belong to groups, supported circumstantially during political moments, but I don’t operate by that logic. That logic is a significant reason behind the substantial discredit of parties today and has allowed non-traditional forces to gain the prominence they hold in political life,” he warned.
Miguel Relvas deemed it normal for some PSD members to support a candidate like former PS secretary-general António José Seguro, suggesting “it would be abnormal if they backed more extremist candidates.”
“There’s nothing abnormal about this. It is only now in Portugal that it has become abnormal for those with past responsibilities and political histories to wish to bring their experience back to public life. I consider this normal and healthy,” he emphasized.
The book presentation, “Luís Marques Mendes — uma vida política” by Observador journalist Luís Rosa, took place at the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lisbon.
The audience included the Prime Minister and PSD leader, Luís Montenegro, Defense Minister and CDS-PP leader, Nuno Melo, several current government ministers, as well as PSD and CDS-PP deputies and some former party leaders.
