At the 95th edition of the Lisbon Book Fair, António José Seguro discussed Portugal’s potential to reach the 5% GDP target for military spending, a proposal set to be debated at the upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlands.
“My point is quite simple, as I’ve previously stated. First, it’s necessary to improve the spending of current Defense investments. In 2023, the collective defense spending by EU countries and the UK was almost three times that of Russia,” he stated.
The presidential candidate emphasized the importance of “economies of scale” and enhancing Portugal’s “strategic capacity,” rejecting the notion of merely “purchasing equipment from abroad.”
“It is also about promoting research and development, meaning developing European technology. This technology will support a European and national scientific system with dual perspectives, which serves both Defense and Security, as well as key areas of our economy,” he argued.
Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, another presidential contender and former Chief of the Naval Staff, has criticized the Defense spending target of 5% GDP as “exaggerated.”
On Wednesday night, during an interview with RTP, the former military officer questioned where the “Presidency training school” is, in response to critics highlighting his lack of political experience.
Regarding this comment, Seguro replied with another question: “Did he mention anything about the country? He didn’t, so I won’t comment.”
António José Seguro arrived at the Book Fair with journalist and writer Luís Osório and admitted to being a book lover who “never lends them” due to his pencil annotations.
“Books unite us, help us better understand others, affirm diversity, and promote critical thinking. Therefore, I hope books never disappear, nor be burned or canceled, as we need freedom and increasingly assert it,” he argued.
Seguro was recognized by some attendees at the Book Fair, took several photos, and purchased two books – one about Benfica, the other on History – from a 10-year-old boy who approached him.
