In the final segment of the sole televised debate between Pedro Nuno Santos and Luís Montenegro ahead of the early legislative elections on May 18, the two candidates were scrutinized for their willingness to negotiate with each other in the case of an electoral defeat. This debate was broadcasted simultaneously by RTP, SIC, and TVI.
Pedro Nuno Santos emphasized his party’s focus, stating, “We are working every day with humility to engage with the Portuguese people, presenting our proposals, and earning their trust to win the elections. That’s the scenario we are focused on.” He noted that the Socialist Party (PS) provided stability to the PSD/CDS-PP government’s administration in the past year.
When asked if he could ensure governance only if PS emerged as the most voted party, he remarked, “We cannot predict the electoral results or the parliamentary configuration that we will face.”
He further added, “What we know from last year is that the President of the Republic will invite the most voted party to form a government. Hence, it is crucial that votes do not disperse significantly so that we can gather necessary support to defeat AD and lead a secure change.” He assured that, as a winner, he would find the conditions to govern.
On being questioned about his course of action if AD is not the most voted political force, Montenegro avoided a direct answer and stated his intention to continue governing “with the same principles.”
“The government did not fall due to a lack of stability; it fell because of political tactics. Now the Portuguese have the instrument to provide the government with that stability,” he asserted.
Pressed by the journalist about stability conditions in a defeat scenario, Montenegro reiterated his focus on the people’s issues.
He criticized, “How can Luís Montenegro promise political stability to the country when we witnessed what happened in the last two months, and at the slightest pressure, they pushed the country towards elections?” Montenegro countered, claiming that over the past year, it was the government that aligned with PS’s positions, for instance, concerning the State Budget.
In his final minute, the Prime Minister implicitly touched upon the subject of his family’s company, Spinumviva.
“I want to tell the Portuguese people that I am not here for personal attacks or slander. I am here to govern, to decide, to execute,” he stated, listing various measures undertaken by his government.
The PS leader used his closing remarks in the debate to address pensioners directly.
“We will make a serious defense of the public pension system and will dissolve the working group for the privatization of social security appointed by the AD government,” he declared, also highlighting other initiatives in his program, such as zero VAT on certain products.
“You can trust, you can trust the Socialist Party,” he appealed.
