“In recent times, the only argument I’ve heard is ‘I’m afraid my vote might be wasted.’ But don’t be fooled: the game is completely open,” emphasized José Miguel Júdice, the national representative of Cotrim’s candidacy, during the official presentation at the Centro Cultural de Belém, in Lisbon.
In a brief intervention preceding the candidate’s speech, Júdice noted that “Cotrim, unlike others, is supported because he merits it, while others are often supported just because they aren’t someone else.”
“I don’t see, as with others, support out of mere resignation or dangerous illusions,” he remarked.
The lawyer provided examples from the past to shed light on the present, recalling the presidential elections of 1986, where the historic socialist Mário Soares initially held 8% in October polls, less than what current polls project for João.
“However, he made it to the second round with 25.43% of the votes. It is possible to surpass polls after an excellent campaign, as was clearly the case for Mário Soares. Cotrim, to reach the second round, doesn’t even need 25%, about 20% would suffice,” he highlighted.
Júdice cited another example to encourage votes for the MEP and former president of the Liberal Initiative, referencing the Olympic athlete and world champion in the 1,500 meters, Isaac Nader.
“This year, in the 1,500 meter event at the world athletics championship, a Portuguese athlete made the final. Yet no commentator gave him the slightest chance to win,” he stressed.
Isaac Nader, “son of an immigrant,” which Júdice noted “with much joy and pride”—eliciting applause in the room—”reached the final stretch in fifth place and overtook four competitors in the last 100 meters to become world champion.”
“In other words, it’s in the final stretch that battles are won or lost,” he warned.
Should voters “become disheartened, or if they face some who still doubt,” Júdice made a request: “Watch and rewatch the film of the final stretch of the 1,500 meters and say ‘Cotrim is the Isaac Nader of the Presidential race.'”
“In the circumstances of our time and place, Portugal needs a President who excels in three qualities: being optimistic about the Portuguese people, ambitious about Portugal,” and in that and for that, to build and reveal a vision for the future,” he listed.
Cotrim, “in both absolute and relative merit, possesses these qualities, unrivaled among the competitors,” Júdice defended.
The presentation began with a speech by Sophie Wilmès, the first female Prime Minister of Belgium and currently a Vice-President of the European Parliament, who praised João Cotrim Figueiredo’s professional experience, stating that he “is not one to succumb to the inertia” often attributed to European institutions.
Sophie Wilmès expressed concern over the rise of the far-right, not only in Portugal but across Europe, arguing that liberals must oppose all extremes.
“We fight these extremes because we believe that people deserve a President who truly listens to them, all of them. A President who does not shy away from difficult topics, but faces them with courage and eloquence,” she advocated.
The presidential elections are scheduled for January 18.
