The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, today refused to comment on the possibility of Gouveia e Melo becoming a presidential candidate, and in this regard, he emphasized that he has the power to appoint military chiefs.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa spoke to journalists after inaugurating the seventh edition of the Book Festival at the Belém Palace in Lisbon.
When asked about the openness that the current Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, expressed regarding a possible presidential candidacy in 2026, the President of the Republic replied that he does not comment on “potential candidates for candidates” in that electoral act, in which he only intervenes to “set the date.”
The head of state argued that, in the case of Gouveia e Melo, there is “an additional reason” for not commenting.
“You’re asking me specifically about a military chief. Now, I am the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. And one of the powers of the President of the Republic is to appoint and reappoint military chiefs,” he said.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa added that “there are several leadership positions that are reappointed or have potential reappointment situations – at least three – from now until March 9, 2026,” when his second and final presidential term ends.
When asked if he would like to reappoint Admiral Gouveia e Melo as head of the Navy, the President of the Republic refused to answer: “You’re asking me now how I’m going to exercise that power in three or four months.”
Henrique Gouveia e Melo, who coordinated the team responsible for the national vaccination plan against COVID-19, took office as Chief of Staff of the Navy on December 27, 2021, and is about to complete his three-year term.
According to the Constitution, the heads of military branches are appointed and dismissed by the President of the Republic, upon proposal by the Government.
