In his speech during the presentation in Porto of the Honorary Committee of his candidacy, attended by about 200 people, Marques Mendes stated that NATO’s decision to raise Defense investment to 5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) “poses a serious challenge.”
“This decision needs to be explained and implemented. For a Nordic or Baltic citizen, increasing Defense spending is completely obvious: the enemy is nearby and reinforcing Defense is urgent. For a Southern European citizen, everything is different: the enemy is distant and the risk is reduced.”
He continued: “If there is not a thorough explanation of this decision and assurance of the social state, there is a risk: that citizens may lose faith in NATO, the European Union (EU), and democracy. It fuels extremism and radicalism.”
Continuing on the theme, he believes that the EU must “seize this opportunity to create its own strategic autonomy. Strategic autonomy in the economy. By investing, innovating, and industrializing.”
Marques Mendes opines that if this is not achieved, the “EU will end up being a ‘colony’ of the US or China,” emphasizing that “strategic autonomy in security and defense is not just about spending more. It’s also about spending better and spending European. Strategic autonomy is not a slogan. It’s a challenge. We need more Europe, better Europe, and a stronger Europe.”
Speaking to an audience of around 500 people, the candidate reminded that all the Presidents of the Republic, to date, were elected with party support. “This was the case with Ramalho Eanes, Mário Soares, Jorge Sampaio, Cavaco Silva, and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. But all, without exception, were independent, impartial, and unbiased in their actions.”
“That will be exactly my hallmark. A hallmark of independence and impartiality. Respecting the Constitution. Collaborating with governments. Dialoguing with the opposition. Listening to civil society. The Portuguese know me and know that in 12 years of television commentary, I was always very independent. I always spoke with impartiality. Criticizing when there was reason for criticism. Praising when it was fair to praise. From the left and the right. Honoring the truth. Having no favoritism for anyone,” he added.
Regarding the country, he said it is “very credible in several areas,” among them the Armed Forces (AF), recalling the forces deployed “in peace operations in various parts of the world” that “are highly praised,” said Marques Mendes, adding that “they are a factor of prestige and pride for Portugal.”
“We need to multiply the number of peace operations in which our AF participates. It will be an investment in strengthening Portugal’s image abroad,” continued the candidate who desires Portugal to never abandon “the demand to be at the forefront of the European project. Neither in the middle of the train nor behind it. Always at the forefront of the European train. It is strategic for Portugal.”
And he proceeded: “We must overcome two serious credibility deficits. In politics and in justice. These two pillars of the Rule of Law are stuck. It is necessary to change our ways. We must review electoral laws and ethical requirements. And we must reform Justice. The President will not be a spectator. They will be an actor and mediator. Otherwise, there’s no point in being President.”
Other speeches of the night included those by the former Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and candidate for the Porto City Hall, Pedro Duarte, doctor Fernando Póvoas, the president of Casa da Música, Isabel Furtado, and former PSD leader Luís Filipe Menezes.
