The candidate for the Presidency of Portugal, João Cotrim Figueiredo, stated on Wednesday that “failing to reach the second round [of the elections] is a defeat.”
In an interview with CNN, the former leader of Iniciativa Liberal (IL) expressed confidence in his candidacy: “I believe, and I believe more and more,” he said, referring to a possible victory in the January elections.
Cotrim Figueiredo revealed he had “never seen a campaign start” like the current one, noting that he is now “on the eighth or ninth [campaign].”
“It’s been unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” he stated.
He emphasized that “anything short of reaching the second round […] is a defeat,” confidently affirming that he would not finish behind André Ventura in the race for Belém.
“In fact, I think I’ve proven that I’m the only candidate who can consistently take votes from Chega,” he added.
During the same interview, Cotrim Figueiredo announced his election representative, José Miguel Júdice, a well-known lawyer and political analyst, who is also the father of Rita Alarcão Júdice, the current Minister of Justice.
“I chose him because he is a man of free spirit, a lucid mind, and in his public life, he has supported several people for important positions, always choosing to support those he trusts and politically respects,” explained the candidate.
He added: “I am very honored to have him by my side.”
Turning to political realities and the choices made by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa during his terms, Cotrim Figueiredo commented on António Costa’s resignation. Despite the former Prime Minister’s proposal for Mário Centeno to continue leading the Government, the President of the Republic decided to dissolve the Assembly and call new elections.
“I wouldn’t have done [the same],” admitted Cotrim Figueiredo.
“I believe a President should only use the so-called atomic bomb of dissolution – which was used unnecessarily in that case because there was indeed a stable majority in parliament – when he has the sense that elections could bring a different solution” that ensures the country’s stability.
The mistake for the former liberal leader occurred “right at António Costa’s inauguration” when “Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa backed himself into a corner by stating that the absolute majority […] was a majority of one man, a majority of António Costa.”
The last poll on the presidential race, conducted by Pitagórica for TVI, CNN Portugal, TSF, JN, and O JOGO, placed Gouveia e Melo in the lead with 26.9% of the intended votes. Former Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Luís Marques Mendes followed with 20.3%, a margin of 6.6 percentage points, within the margin of error.
Antonio José Seguro (supported by the PS) was third, with 18.4%, followed by André Ventura (supported by Chega), with 13.9%.
João Cotrim Figueiredo appeared with 9.1%, followed by António Filipe (2.5%) and Catarina Martins (1.9%).
