In the manifesto titled “Comunidades portuguesas — o meu compromisso,” Marques Mendes asserts that “Portugal comprises millions of Portuguese living in the country who contribute to its growth and development.”
The document continues, “But also the other millions of Portuguese who, outside of Portugal, honor our past, enhance our present, and strengthen our future prospects.”
The candidate recalled initiatives he undertook regarding communities, such as the establishment of RTP Internacional in the 1990s, and his role in enshrining the right of Portuguese emigrants to vote in presidential elections in the Constitution.
For the future, he promises to create a department for ongoing contact with Portuguese communities, through which he hopes to advocate for causes and respect priorities, like “making Portuguese communities a great strategic asset for Portugal.”
Marques Mendes aims to “increase the emphasis on culture, language, and teaching Portuguese” and enhance the political participation of Portuguese residing abroad.
To increase the political participation of emigrants, Marques Mendes argues for three voting options: “In-person, postal, and electronic voting.”
“Conditions must be created in this regard. To stimulate greater civic and political participation. To reinforce the primacy of citizenship,” he continued.
Investing in the modernization of Portuguese consulates abroad, “essential for supporting the Portuguese diaspora,” and considering the return conditions for retired Portuguese are other goals of this candidate.
“The country needs to take measures to prevent returning Portuguese from being fiscally penalized. This issue is essential for another reason as well: a retired Portuguese returning is someone who can invest in Portugal, often in inland regions, strengthening territorial cohesion. Portugal also thrives through this,” the manifesto states.
Marques Mendes promises to “value diaspora institutions,” such as the Portuguese Diaspora Council and the Council of Portuguese Communities.
