Presidential candidate Catarina Martins emphasized on Friday that she seeks a “uniting” candidacy and if elected, she will continue her lifelong political commitment to finding solutions and bringing people together.
When questioned on RTP1 about being one of the most recognized faces of the Left Bloc and whether her candidacy could serve to revive the party, Catarina Martins reiterated that “this candidacy is personal, not partisan.”
In the Grande Entrevista, Catarina Martins expressed that she “would be very comfortable with a candidacy that would unite another spectrum,” yet acknowledged that this did not occur.
Regarding [António] Sampaio da Nóvoa, the former coordinator of the Left Bloc (BE) lamented that the former presidential candidate did not advance in this election, set for January 18. “I was one of those who thought Sampaio da Nóvoa would advance. That was not the case,” she said, admitting she would not have been a candidate if Sampaio da Nóvoa had stepped forward.
“I don’t hide who I am”
Catarina Martins was also questioned on whether the presidential situation could aid the survival of the Left Bloc but clarified she has nothing to hide. “I don’t hide who I am, nor the responsibilities I’ve taken over time. What I’ve done well, what I’ve done poorly. I believe people know me. The country knows what I think, how I act. That’s why I’m here. Any other interpretation would be abusive,” she stated.
The former bloc leader further emphasized what was important for her was the “ability to unite people” and “bring people together to find solutions: “I’ve done this all my life, and that’s what I want to do as President of the Republic.”
The Euro-MP recalled instances when she acted alongside individuals outside the party, noting, “João Semedo and I stood with Mário Soares to unite all those opposing a troika that was reducing wages, against a government attacking the Constitution of the Republic of Portugal. I’m very proud of that path. That’s always how I’ve been in political life, uniting people, creating solutions.”
After stressing she wasn’t planning to run for the presidency, she added that “a campaign offering a choice between tragedy and more of the same” would be terrible.
Pressed on her remarks, Catarina Martins explicitly linked André Ventura, the leader of Chega, to tragedy, while categorizing António José Seguro and Luís Marques Mendes as representatives of the political mainstream. “I believe within that political mainstream there’s a tendency to resort to the easiest solution in crises, which is cutting wages and public services. And that solution is incorrect,” she underscored, arguing that crisis responses should respect workers.
“I believe crises measure the ability to innovate and provide new political answers,” she noted.
Belém, “Balance” and “Decent Majority”
Still eyeing Belém, Catarina Martins argued for the need for balance in Portugal between Belém and São Bento: “With the political scene so tilted to the Right, I believe it’s essential to have a Left President of the Republic. Because it contributes to a normal balance of democratic institutions in Portugal.”
The former BE leader was also confronted about an interview with Lusa where she stated, “With me as President, Chega will never be in government. Because my fight is one for political culture and a battle to secure majorities in the name of decency and democracy. If this path is successful, there won’t be a country granting Chega that power.”
Presidential candidate Catarina Martins promises to seek alternatives to Chega’s involvement in a future government, expressing confidence that “there will always be solutions through democracy and decency” to form parliamentary majorities.
When questioned about respecting the choice of the Portuguese people, Catarina Martins clarified that she would never place her opinions above the Constitution. Regarding the right of a party to form a government with a parliamentary majority, she clarified: “It doesn’t need to be Left. It just needs to be decent.”
