Former PSD leader and campaign manager for Henrique Gouveia e Melo’s presidential bid, Rui Rio, stated on Tuesday that the admiral would not make such an impactful decision solely because of dissatisfaction with a newspaper article.
“There are people within the so-called bubble who, lacking arguments, attempt to sell the idea that someone could make such a significant life decision, like running for President of the Republic, simply because they disliked a newspaper article,” was posted on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) following Gouveia e Melo’s interview on RTP’s Grande Entrevista.
In May, it was announced that Rui Rio would serve as the national campaign manager for Gouveia e Melo’s presidential campaign.
“Allow me to express my satisfaction that our presidential candidate chose Porto for the presentation of his national campaign manager,” he remarked at a dinner at Porto’s Alfândega Congress Centre.
In a lengthy speech filled with applause, Rui Rio emphasized that “the candidate possesses the correct vision, the necessary capability, and the determination to continue serving Portugal,” finding in Gouveia e Melo “the sobriety, courage, and straightforwardness that [he wants] our President of the Republic to embody.”
Presidential candidate Henrique Gouveia e Melo reiterated on Monday that a supposed intervention by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa did not motivate his candidacy for the presidency.
The controversy stems from a Lusa article quoting excerpts from the book “Gouveia e Melo – As Razões,” an interview conducted by journalist and deputy director of Diário de Notícias, Valentina Marcelino. The article reported that the former Navy chief decided to run for presidency after learning that Marcelo attempted to halt his candidacy, but Gouveia e Melo accused Lusa of false reporting, stating his motivation was entirely different.
In this interview [read the book excerpt here], the admiral reveals his decision to run was influenced by reading an article in Expresso, titled “Admiral wants two more submarines to remain in the Navy and abandon the presidential bid.”
“There was an article claiming that the President had a decisive role in my decision, which is not true,” the admiral stated in the RTP Grande Entrevista, referring to the Lusa article published on Sunday, November 9, titled “Presidential elections: Gouveia e Melo reveals that Marcelo’s attempt to stop him led to his candidacy.”
“This article is based on a book of interviews, and there’s nothing like verifying the interview itself. In that interview, I don’t say that, therefore it’s a false allegation attributed to me,” he reinforced.
The presidential candidate Henrique Gouveia e Melo denied that his decision to run was influenced by a supposed attempt of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to impede his candidacy.
Reactions from Rivals and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
When questioned about the controversy, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, currently on an official visit to Angola, stated yesterday that as President, he never experienced “soured relations with anyone.”
“As an acting President, I’ve never had soured relations with anyone. I don’t know if it’s a quality or a flaw, but that’s the nature of this President, to cultivate relationships with everyone, regardless of personalities, political areas, religious, social, or economic. That’s my way of being. One is born that way and remains so until death,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, presidential candidate Luís Marques Mendes accused his opponent Gouveia e Melo of speaking nonsense, contradicting himself, and causing misunderstandings and controversies, traits he considers unfavorable for a President of the Republic.
“Admiral Gouveia e Melo, whenever he speaks, tends to do one of three things: say something foolish, contradict himself, or incite misunderstandings and controversies,” said the social democrat, stating that “these traits are not great for someone aiming to be President of the Republic.”
Conversely, António José Seguro described the situation involving the opponent as an indication of “significant political immaturity.”
“I see it as indicative of significant political immaturity in this candidate,” remarked the candidate supported by the PS, refraining from further comment on the controversy.
Gouveia e Melo recently became embroiled in a controversy over the reasons prompting his presidential candidacy, leading to an exchange of accusations with the Lusa agency. His adversaries (and Marcelo, who was also implicated) have since reacted.
