The leader of AD was campaigning in a religious goods store in Fátima, Santarém, when white smoke emerged from the chimney of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, indicating the election of Benedict XIV as the new Pope.
Earlier in Figueira da Foz, the starting point of the fifth day of his campaign, Luís Montenegro commented on the CP strike that began on Wednesday, stating that “political, partisan, and electoral influences” prevented the avoidance of the stoppage.
“This is an absolutely unjust strike, regardless of the labor and union reasons those striking might have. The harm it causes to people’s lives and the country’s life is enormous. One day, we will have to put an end to this,” warned the prime minister. He advocated for changes in the law to balance the right to strike with other considerations.
Montenegro’s statements were criticized by the opposition, especially by the PS secretary-general, who, during a street rally in Covilhã, described the government leader’s “threat” as an “insult to democracy” and vowed that it “will not succeed.”
Pedro Nuno Santos, throughout the day, continued to criticize the government for funding cuts to certain research centers, emphasizing that investment in science is pivotal for economic transformation.
The IL’s president remarked, “No laws are untouchable. The right to strike itself is untouchable,” while acknowledging it as “a right for workers to fight for their goals,” he expressed willingness to discuss changes to labor legislation.
The liberal leader was in Póvoa de Varzim and had planned a boat trip that was prevented by the Maritime Police, leading Rui Rocha to criticize the bureaucratic excesses he perceives in Portugal.
Regarding the strike, the PCP’s secretary-general, traveling through Alentejo, described the proposed legal changes as a “banana peel” the CDU (PCP and PEV) would not slip on.
“We will not slip on the banana peel the government is putting out for us to comment on this. What the prime minister [Luís Montenegro] needs to do is to end this strike once and for all because it’s in the government’s hands,” said Paulo Raimundo.
On the left, BE’s coordinator, Mariana Mortágua, criticized the PSD leader for only addressing labor issues in the electoral campaign to admit legal changes regarding the right to strike, indicating that “it clearly reveals the right-wing’s agenda.”
Meanwhile, Chega’s president began his day in Braga, confronting a protest by around 20 members of the Roma community, who accused André Ventura and his party members of being “fascist and racist.”
In Carcavelos, PAN’s spokesperson condemned hate speech and urged integration policies for the Roma community after hearing complaints from market vendors about Chega’s leader’s stance against them.
Inês de Sousa Real, focusing on Cascais, commented on the CP workers’ strike, urging common sense and suggesting the strike should have been scheduled post-elections. She opposed alterations to strike laws, deeming them proportional.
For Livre, co-spokesperson Rui Tavares, during a visit to Barcelos’ market, addressed defense investment, which he deems important but cautioned it shouldn’t compromise the welfare state. He criticized IL for defending “truly radical” ideas and being “extremist” in wanting to revise the Constitution.
On the sidelines of the campaign issues, the fifth day of the legislative election race, set for May 18, was also marked by the election of a new Pope.
Just minutes past 6:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. in Lisbon), white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney in the Vatican, as Luís Montenegro was in Fátima.
White smoke signaled the election of a new Pope shortly after 6:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. in Lisbon) from the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.
When asked if it was a sign for AD’s campaign, Montenegro contemplated, acknowledging it despite not knowing what it signified.
