In the presidential debate last night between Luís Marques Mendes, supported by PSD and CDS-PP, and António José Seguro, backed by PS, the candidates found more common ground than areas of disagreement, while both aimed to highlight their differences.
The justice system, specifically the Operation Influencer and the wiretaps of former Socialist Prime Minister António Costa released today, dominated much of the discussion. Seguro expressed deep concern, emphasizing that over two years have passed without any fact justifying the PGR’s statement that Costa was under investigation.
“Two years in such a case is a very serious situation, and the information we have, as seen today in Sábado magazine, consists of wiretap transcriptions unrelated to that process,” he criticized, asserting that someone must provide answers.
The PS-supported candidate stressed that the Attorney General must respond because António Costa was the prime minister, “the country lost a Government,” resulting in “a situation of instability” with “no accountability.”
Echoing this sentiment, Marques Mendes remarked that “justice is ailing” and argued this case underscores the need for a pact in this realm, which he vowed to initiate in his first Council of State session if elected on January 18.
The PSD-supported candidate concurred with his opponent, stating it is “incomprehensible” that the Operation Influencer investigation remains unresolved, agreeing that the Public Ministry should provide clarifications.
“There’s also another absolutely regrettable issue. During the Operation Influencer, 75,000 euros in cash was found hidden in the prime minister’s chief of staff’s office. No one has yet provided a complete and definitive explanation,” he criticized.
On the topic of labor legislation reform, the two candidates expressed differing views.
Marques Mendes said he does not understand the “tendency” Seguro previously demonstrated in rejecting the decree if it reached Belém in its current form.
“A President of the Republic only decides whether to veto, enact, or send to the Constitutional Court when the final law text arrives. I have enough experience to know that the current document will be nothing like the final document,” stated the PSD and CDS-backed candidate.
In contrast, Seguro questioned the relevance of this reform, arguing that if it were truly important, the PSD should have clearly and transparently presented it to the Portuguese during the campaign, which he claims they did not do. He added, “It’s up to the Government to resolve this issue because they initiated it.”
