The candidates backed by major democratic right-wing parties exchanged sharper comments this Friday, indicating a rise in tensions in the race for the presidential elections in January, with direct attacks on political integrity.
João Cotrim de Figueiredo, former leader of the Liberal Initiative (IL), revealed having received pressures from other campaigns to withdraw his candidacy in favor of Marques Mendes, without naming and accusing parties.
Luís Marques Mendes, supported by the PSD/CDS‑PP, reacted with outrage, accusing his adversary of dishonesty, indignity, and of “using the worst tricks of traditional politics.”
“I have never pressured João Cotrim Figueiredo. I haven’t spoken to him in more than two years. Nor has anyone from my campaign ever been mandated to have any conversation with him in this regard. The news is, therefore, completely false, fanciful, and an abuse, an indignity,” stated the former political commentator.
João Cotrim de Figueiredo maintains accusations
Confronted with this reaction, Cotrim reiterated that he was pressured by supporters of Marques Mendes to withdraw his candidacy and considered the candidate’s reaction shows concern over his rise in the polls.
Cotrim Figueiredo maintained that “there were pressures from supporters of Marques Mendes,” emphasizing that by denouncing them, “he wanted them to stop, and it worked.”
Regarding Marques Mendes’ reaction, the liberal concluded that it only shows “some concern in light of [his] rise in the polls and the confirmation” that the possibility of advancing to the second round “is not just real, but strong.”
Portugal called to choose head of state for the 12th time
The presidential elections are scheduled for January 18, 2026.
This marks the 12th time (including the two rounds of the 1986 elections) that the Portuguese are called, since 1976, to choose the President of the Republic in a democratic setting.
Among others, the presidential candidates include António Filipe (with the support of the PCP), António José Seguro (supported by the PS), André Ventura (backed by Chega), Catarina Martins (supported by the BE), Henrique Gouveia e Melo, João Cotrim Figueiredo (supported by the Liberal Initiative), Jorge Pinto (backed by Livre), and Luís Marques Mendes (supported by the PSD and the CDS-PP).
According to the Ministry of Internal Administration’s candidacy portal, there are an additional 31 citizens gathering signatures for a presidential bid.
