Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal, left the Belém Palace in Lisbon on foot around 5 p.m. He spoke with RTP at Calçada da Ajuda, reiterating his call for electoral participation, a plea he had previously made on Saturday during his traditional address to the nation on the eve of elections.
“For those who can, it is only five in the afternoon, there is still an hour and a half, two hours to vote. I strongly urge those who are able and willing to vote not to miss the opportunity,” he stated.
Regarding the formation of the next government, the head of state expressed his intention to summon the parties that secure seats in parliament “as early as tomorrow” [Monday] to “gradually meet them throughout the week” and “calmly, serenely, hear them in interpreting the will of the Portuguese people.”
According to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, today is “the perfect day for exercising the right to vote,” described as “a day with a small drizzle, not too hot.”
He emphasized that it is ultimately the people who hold “the power to decide,” through their vote.
The President characterized the current global context as “a very challenging moment” politically and economically, filled “with many unknowns, many uncertainties.”
“Therefore, having decisive action in Portugal and having it from those who hold the power to decide, the people, as only they do, is crucial in a world of indecision,” he remarked.
The head of state noted that during elections in Portugal, “a particularly significant time for voter turnout is from five to seven” and expressed hope that “turnout might still increase, which would be a good sign.”
Statistics from the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Internal Administration (SGMAI) indicate that approximately 10.8 million citizens are registered on the electoral rolls for these early legislative elections.
Last Sunday, over 314,000 of the 333,347 registered voters for early voting exercised their right, marking a turnout of 94.45%, according to SGMAI data.
In these elections, 21 political forces are competing: AD (PSD/CDS-PP), PS, Chega, IL, BE, CDU (PCP/PEV), Livre, PAN, ADN, RIR, JPP, PCTP/MRPP, Nova Direita, Volt Portugal, Ergue-te, Nós, Cidadãos!, PPM, PLS, and with lists in one or both autonomous regions, MPT, PTP, and PSD/CDS/PPM.
[Updated at 5:43 p.m.]
