Fernando Rosas, a prominent figure from the Left Bloc, expressed concerns about “serious mistakes” made by the party’s leadership, directed by Mariana Mortágua, who is stepping down and not seeking re-election. Rosas also pointed out the criticism Mortágua has faced, attributing it to her being “a young woman of the Left.”
In an interview released Thursday, Rosas, a former legislative candidate, asserted that Mortágua’s decision was independent and justified. He stated, “The Left Bloc suffered significant electoral defeats. The political response failed to serve as resistance or a counterbalance to the far-right offensive, which is undeniable.”
Acknowledging the party’s difficult situation, Rosas affirmed that the “social and political terrain” for a party like BE remains as long as issues like the National Health Service’s “privatization push” and labor laws under “attack” exist.
Rosas emphasized, “I’m not saying there weren’t serious mistakes by the Bloc’s leadership.”
Looking toward future leadership, to be chosen in November, Rosas signaled the need to focus on these unresolved issues fueling public discontent, which supports “the populist and reactionary demagogy of the far-right.”
He questioned the far-right party Chega’s housing program, criticizing their tactics as exploiting “the masses’ baser instincts—xenophobia, racism, reactionary patriarchy.” Rosas noted Mortágua’s decision not to run again was influenced by a “character assassination” by certain right-wing and far-right factions, arguing: “For being a young woman of the Left, making life choices, expressing her style and emphasis as a leader, part of Portuguese society cannot forgive this. If she were a man, she wouldn’t have faced such an attack. I’m not denying there were serious mistakes by the Bloc’s leadership.”
Rosassion highlighted, “The solutions to counter the Right’s push weren’t effective. It’s crucial to capitalize on the social terrain: daring to oppose the current, not fearing minority status, advocating convictions with pedagogy and empathy, and addressing people’s real issues. [Mariana Mortágua] had her leadership style. The circumstances she faced and the attacks hindered her work.”
He also discussed the presidential elections, announced for January 18 by the President of the Republic. Rosas doubted António José Seguro’s ability to unite the Left, criticizing the current Socialist Party’s rightward shift and mentioning António Sampaio da Nóvoa’s late withdrawal deprived the Left of “leverage.”
He questioned, “Imagine a presidential runoff between the admiral and the buffoon of the far-right. What’s the Left’s choice then?”
Regarding a potential runoff between António José Seguro and Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Rosas remained non-committal, labeling it “highly hypothetical,” and noted, “The Left enters divided, but so does the Right. This election is somewhat unpredictable. We’ll see what the polls indicate, but it’s tough to envision a Left candidate reaching the runoff given recent trends.”
Rosas remarked on Gouveia e Melo’s campaign, noting, “He started courting Chega and ends by winking to the Left.”
Following indecision over two dates, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa set the presidential election date on the morning of January 18. The debates commence in two weeks and span 28 sessions, almost reaching Christmas. The schedule can be accessed here.
