“Of course, if Rui Moreira supports me, I will be pleased. Any candidate would like to have Rui Moreira’s endorsement. I do not know if Rui Moreira will support me, if he will support another candidate, or if he will decide not to support anyone. I respect his decision. In such matters, no pressure is applied,” declared Marques Mendes to journalists during a visit to the Hospital de Misericórdia de Vila Verde, in the district of Braga.
In a note sent on Thursday to the Lusa news agency, the current president of the Porto City Council announced that he would not run in the January Presidential Elections, after considering personal and political factors.
“I respect his decision, but Rui Moreira has been an excellent mayor over these twelve years. If he were a candidate for President of the Republic, he would be an excellent candidate. I can only congratulate him on his political performance during these three terms. As for his decision, I obviously respect it,” said the presidential candidate.
Luís Marques Mendes was also questioned about a potential presidential candidacy by André Ventura and whether the Chega leader would be welcome in the race for the presidential elections.
“I salute all candidates, from right to left. I may have many disagreements, but I democratically salute all candidates. It’s a matter of respect, a question of democratic ‘fair play’, and therefore, if there is another candidate, I will gladly salute him at the right time,” responded Marques Mendes.
Regarding the risk of Gouveia e Melo’s candidacy and the potential candidacy of André Ventura splitting the right, the former PSD leader emphasized that this “is a decision for the Portuguese people.”
“I will not act as a commentator. I believe in my potential, I believe in the polls that clearly give me a chance to advance to the second round. But I am very humble, I always maintain a stance of great democratic humility: the final decision belongs to the Portuguese, and I respect whatever it may be,” stated Marques Mendes, accompanied by the president of the Vila Verde City Council, Júlia Rodrigues Fernandes (PSD), and the provider of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Vila Verde, Bento Morais.
