“Voting is simple, voting is easy,” emphasized Rui Tavares, leader of the Livre party, following an encounter with a representative of the Movement Against Indifference, a group established in 2021 to combat voter apathy in Portugal. Tavares encouraged individuals to view voting as a straightforward task and stressed the importance of participation in the May 18 elections.
Having declared earlier in the day his intent to challenge the Liberal Initiative (IL) for the fourth position, Tavares reiterated the ease of voting compared to everyday activities. “If we can achieve a better country for everyone through our vote, we’re doing something simple that delivers significant results,” he affirmed.
Tavares noted that in many countries, voters proudly display stickers reading ‘I have voted’ after fulfilling their civic duty. The Livre spokesperson expressed concern over the prevailing rhetoric suggesting voter fatigue or disinterest in elections. “I understand the discussions about instability and the disruption it can cause to our democracy and lives, but we shouldn’t conflate this with anti-election or anti-democratic sentiments,” he cautioned.
Paulo Sousa, from the Movement Against Indifference, also spoke to journalists, emphasizing the organization’s goal to reduce high abstention rates and encourage political participation and awareness. “Voting is the opportunity for a stronger and more participatory democracy,” Sousa highlighted.
Before meeting with the Movement Against Indifference, Tavares campaigned in Braga, the hometown of IL’s president Rui Rocha. While Rocha was also in Braga, Tavares came across Hugo Soares from the Democratic Alliance (AD) instead. The encounter occurred as the Livre’s team was putting up a campaign poster in central Braga, prompting Soares to comment, “Still on time?”
“Certainly, I’m right on time,” Tavares replied, expressing determination to elect the first deputy from the Braga constituency. Hugo Soares remarked, “If you elect a deputy, it’s at PS’s expense,” with a voice behind him suggesting that Livre might take the spot from “the one from Baião,” referring to José Luís Carneiro, the lead candidate for the Socialist Party (PS) in Braga and a native of Baião.
