“Projections indicate a negative shift in the composition of the Assembleia da República compared to the previous assembly, far removed from what is necessary for it to be a body capable of inspiring an alternative policy that the people require,” stated the MEP and former leader of the PCP parliamentary group.
João Oliveira spoke at a hotel opposite the party headquarters in Lisbon, responding to election result projections released by television networks, which indicate a victory for AD in the legislative elections, with between 29% and 36.9% of the vote, followed by the PS (19.4% to 26%) and Chega (19.5% to 26.6%) in close competition.
The projections suggest that CDU could attain between 1.3% and 4.3%, with the MEP describing these forecasts as indicative of the coalition’s “resistance,” which includes PCP and “The Greens.”
“The CDU resists despite the deluge of negative predictions and omens,” he acknowledged, adding that “there is still much that remains uncertain,” particularly concerning the number of deputies that may be elected.
“If anyone thinks that this composition of the Assembleia da República opens the door for increased worker exploitation, deterioration of living conditions for our people, dismantling and privatization of the National Health Service, neglect of necessary investment in housing, they should know that the deputies of the PCP and CDU, with the strength the Portuguese people are giving us today, will oppose this path,” he asserted.
The initial remarks, followed by questions from journalists, were met with applause from the militants in the room, who chanted “CDU,” having previously watched the televised projections in silence.
João Oliveira reaffirmed that the Portuguese are weary of “a policy that does not address” their problems, suggesting that this fatigue might lead to a potential increase in voter abstention.
The MEP also emphasized that the CDU will continue its efforts “to gather the necessary forces to truly offer an alternative perspective from a social standpoint.”
