“We have not only confidence in the differentiated qualities of Dr. Luís Marques Mendes to hold the position of President of the Republic, in the current context of Portuguese politics and Western democracies, but I also, not only as a citizen but also as a party member and leader, have this option in a clear and unequivocal manner,” José Manuel Bolieiro told journalists today.
The leader of the PSD Azores and the regional Azorean executive, speaking in Praia da Vitória on Terceira Island on the sidelines of the Lajes International Conference promoted by the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD), recalled that the candidacy of the former social-democrat minister and PSD president (who was also present on the Azorean island today) was “very objectively” supported by the party.
“And if my public interventions allow me to make appeals for votes, I will do so to encourage citizens to support and trust Dr. Luís Marques Mendes’s candidacy,” he stated.
Bolieiro acknowledged that the plurality of candidacies has “an effect of vote divergence,” but he has “no doubt” about Marques Mendes’s abilities for the role.
In his opinion, the voter “should not look at a presidential candidacy solely for its party, ideological, doctrinal components,” but also at the candidate’s profile and personality.
As discussions around the State Budget (OE) for 2026 commence, José Manuel Bolieiro emphasized the need for all parties involved in executive responsibilities to have “democratic patience” for dialogue and harmonization of differences, as he has sought to implement in his leadership in the Azores.
The social-democrat urged Prime Minister Luís Montenegro to “make this effort.”
“Dialogue and democratic patience have more advantages in affirming and building consensus than – to use a more popular expression – a ‘fire-starter approach’ to gathering and integrating wills,” he remarked.
Without forsaking principles and values, the social-democrat admitted that it’s possible to make “mutual concessions” and “ensure convergences for the defense of the greater national interest.”
