At an outdoor evening rally in Damaia, Amadora municipality, Luís Montenegro praised the PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/RIR coalition candidate, highlighting her “spice and some controversy.”
“We need bold people who are willing to change the state of affairs, not those who are complacent and accomplish nothing,” he stated.
In Amadora, the prime minister expressed his desire to emphasize the government’s immigration policy.
“Many of those who approach me on the street, encouraging us to have regulated immigration, are the immigrants residing in Portugal. They are the strongest advocates of the immigration policy our government currently upholds,” he said.
The social-democratic leader affirmed the possibility of “healthy cohabitation” with immigrants, “a coexistence that reflects Portuguese identity.”
“We have always been a country open to the world. We ventured into the seas seeking engagement with other cultures, building bridges. It would be wrong not to do so within our own territory,” he declared.
Regarding Suzana Garcia’s candidacy, he expressed “renewed confidence” in victory on October 12, considering it a potential “turning point in Amadora.”
“Do you want to maintain an unorganized council? Do you want to continue with uncollected waste? Do you want a council that complains about insecurity instead of contributing to safety? If that’s what you want, don’t vote for this candidacy. But if you want change and resolution, then vote for this coalition, vote for Suzana Garcia,” he urged.
Prior to this, the candidate also addressed immigration, expressing a desire to maintain the “multiculturalism” that makes Amadora “absolutely unparalleled” nationwide.
“Embracing this multiculturalism won’t mean renouncing our own cultural identity. We will support everyone, but first and foremost, ourselves,” she remarked.
Suzana Garcia also harshly criticized the socialist management of the municipality, warning that “voting for other” parties beyond the coalition strengthens the PS vote.
“Voting for any solution other than ours allows this cancer to continue spreading with its metastatic cells,” she claimed.
Before the rally, Montenegro and Suzana Garcia briefly interacted with Damaia residents, distributing orange flowers and clear nail polishes, symbols of — according to the candidate — the transparency of their proposals.
During the walkabout, the PSD leader was asked if he supported the candidate’s proposal to “eradicate Cova da Moura.”
“I align myself with the principles and values of our candidacies, including those of Suzana Garcia, who has a high social sensitivity and a remarkable passion for this land,” he commented, adding that “often, good solutions emerge from discussion.”
Accompanying Luís Montenegro and Suzana Garcia was MEP Sebastião Bugalho, who will lead various initiatives during the PSD national tour when the leader is occupied with prime ministerial duties.
When asked about the significance of this “substitution,” Montenegro regarded the PSD’s lead candidate in the last European elections as “a very, very important asset to this local campaign.”
“As is publicly known, I can’t always be available, and on several occasions, as will happen this week, I must fulfill my responsibilities as prime minister, particularly in an informal European Council meeting,” he said, noting his upcoming visit to Copenhagen on Wednesday and Thursday.
When questioned if he sees him as a future party leader, the prime minister chose to describe Sebastião Bugalho as “a highly qualified asset” for PSD, recalling his role in signing Bugalho’s membership.
