During a press interaction in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island, Azores, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa refrained from commenting on potential candidates for the upcoming presidential elections.
“I can’t. I’m neutral, I can’t make comments. (…). I cannot comment on presidential elections. No elections, but especially presidential ones. It would violate the principle of neutrality,” he stated.
When questioned about the announced candidates, he reiterated: “I can’t. I can’t say,” adding further insights.
“Every day more candidates appear. There are more, more, more announced. Let’s wait,” the President remarked to journalists in Ponta Delgada after participating in the closing session of the international meeting of twin cities and municipalities between Portugal and the United States. This event was organized by the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) in partnership with the Azorean Regional Government, as part of its 40th-anniversary celebrations.
He continued: “As you know, the presidential elections are after the local ones, so there is still a lot of time until it’s time to start the campaign or to set the date for the presidential elections,” Marcelo said.
I cannot have an opinion on this. When I was a candidate, there were nine in one case, and 10 in another. As far as I remember. So now I don’t know how many there will be. We’ll see. Pressed once more about the proliferation of presidential candidates, Marcelo reiterated that he has “no opinion on this”.
“I cannot have an opinion on this. When I was a candidate, there were nine in one case, and 10 in another. As far as I remember. So now I don’t know how many there will be. We’ll see,” he concluded.
Regarding the scheduling of local election dates, the President pointed out that these are determined by the Government. He mentioned that next week he will meet with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who will tell him “what the Government’s choice is.”
