Former PSD leader Luís Marques Mendes made his position clear at the UACS – União de Associações do Comércio e Serviços building in Lisbon during his closing speech at the presentation of the honorary committee for his presidential candidacy.
The presidential candidate stated that Portugal needs “ambition in international politics” and emphasized that the country is part of the European Union, has values, and “when values are disregarded, silence is absolutely unbearable.” He called for consistency in Portugal’s stance on Israeli attacks in Palestine and the position already taken regarding Russian attacks in Ukraine.
“There cannot be two weights and two measures. Israel has the right to defend itself and respond to the terrorist attack it suffered in 2023. But the response is unjustifiably disproportionate, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is absolutely intolerable. There must be firm condemnation and concrete action in favor of innocent and unprotected victims,” he declared.
In the same speech, Marques Mendes also promised that, if elected President of the Republic, he would appoint a young person to the Council of State to “add fresh blood to the discussions” and signal “ambition.”
Mendes urged against investing in young people only to “let their energy, merit, and talent slip away abroad,” stressing that he maintained contact with the younger generation during the pre-campaign, learning that the country is facing a “particularly inspiring generation.”
He also stated that he is running for this candidacy with a sense of dissatisfaction and ambition to change Portugal, adding that “either we help change the country, or power is useless.”
“I know well that the President of the Republic does not govern. But I also know that he cannot resort to generalities or clichés. In the new circumstances of the world, Europe, and Portugal, the influence of the President of the Republic cannot be limited to just words. The President must become a mediator,” he argued.
