During the introduction of the PSD-backed candidate for the Municipal Council of Penalva do Castelo (Viseu district), independent Michael Baptista, Luís Montenegro reiterated his government’s priorities for agriculture, forestry, and livestock, noting that this policy “fits like a glove in this territory”.
“If there is no wealth creation, if there is no strong economy, if there is no good public school, if there is no access to healthcare, we do not have a true democracy, and those who suffer are always those who have less, those who suffer are always those who have more difficulty,” he warned.
The social-democratic leader welcomed several independents joining the PSD lists “as reinforcements” for the party’s project and humorously recalled meeting the current candidate during a meal as part of the “Feel Portugal” initiative when he toured all the country’s municipalities as the opposition leader.
“He didn’t say it, but I also made caneja. And it wasn’t easy, it took five roosters, just to stir the pot, I needed help,” he joked.
In Penalva do Castelo, as he had done earlier in the municipality of Góis, he argued that his administration prioritizes investment in low-density territories and focuses on the primary sector.
“I am a prime minister, a government leader, and a party leader who understands that agriculture, the primary sector, forest production, and forest profitability, the complementarity between agriculture, tourism, commerce, and industry are a development strategy,” he emphasized.
The prime minister praised Penalva do Castelo for its “good wine, good cheese, and good Bravo de Esmolfe apple” and argued that it is possible to have businesses and tourism in territories like this.
“It is possible to care for the environment, and it is possible to have more technological, more productive, and more profitable agriculture, it is possible to have more planning and forest profitability, it is possible that with this dynamic everyone feels better in their land,” he said.
He also reiterated, as he had earlier in the afternoon, that security is an asset of the country and briefly mentioned immigration.
“Our country needs immigrants to work, but immigrants must come to work and must come respecting our habits, our culture, and by doing so, we give them more dignity, providing them more opportunities to help us create wealth,” he stated.
In the last event of the PSD campaign for the October 12 municipal elections, Montenegro closed the day with a message of hope.
“Believe that this country is also built with your participation (…) you won’t be alone, we will continue to be partners,” he assured, expressing confidence that the PSD could win Penalva do Castelo from the PS.
Candidate Michael Baptista also expressed similar confidence, inviting the prime minister for a meal after the anticipated victory.
“Friend, you’ll see, starting from the 12th, I’ll invite you for a fine feijoada à la Michael Baptista,” he stated.
In the October 12 elections for the Penalva do Castelo Municipal Council, in the Viseu district, besides independent Michael Baptista for the PSD, José Laires (PS), António Vilarigues (CDU), and Paula Rebelo (Chega) are also running.
In 2021, the Socialist Party (PS) won three mandates with 56.68% of the electorate (2,893 votes), the PSD/CDS-PP coalition obtained 37.11% (1,894 votes), securing two councilors, while the CDU had 1.59% (81 votes). Out of 7,448 registered voters, 5,104 participated.
