The debate broadcast by RTP featured few differences between the former leader of the Bloco de Esquerda and the candidate supported by the PCP. Both agreed on the significance of Thursday’s general strike in opposition to the labor package proposed by the government led by Luís Montenegro.
“I hope the Government pays attention to the general strike, draws its conclusions, and withdraws this law,” stated António Filipe, emphasizing that “no responsible government can remain indifferent to a demonstration of this magnitude.”
“This is an attack on all generations, on all workers, on our economy,” noted the candidate supported by BE, suggesting that the general strike signals the need for the Government to present a different proposal for negotiation.
The general strike against the Government’s proposed labor legislation reform project marks the first joint action of the CGTP and UGT union centers since June 2013, during Portugal’s ‘troika’ intervention.
Regarding Luís Montenegro’s recent statement about increasing the minimum wage to 1,600 euros, Catarina Martins criticized, stating, “The prime minister is mocking people, and it’s inappropriate,” a sentiment echoed by António Filipe, who pointed out that the lack of protest from business confederations indicates disbelief in such assertions.
During the face-off, neither candidate claimed the mantle of the true Left representative. António Filipe acknowledged the MEP as a clear Left candidate but avoided speculating on supporting any candidate in a potential runoff.
Both candidates criticized Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s constitutional interpretation, particularly his decision to dissolve the Parliament when António Costa led the Government.
“We truly need a President of the Republic who talks less about political games and more about the country’s needs. […] We’ve had a President who has been very present, let’s say, in party strategy debates,” highlighted Catarina Martins.
They also agreed that Portugal’s relations with Venezuela should prioritize protecting the interests of the Portuguese community, as noted by the candidate backed by the PCP, while criticizing the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. According to Catarina Martins, Machado suggested invading her own country.
The candidates demonstrated solidarity with musicians and performers who announced their refusal to represent Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, should they win the RTP Festival da Canção, in protest against Israel’s participation. However, the topic of the Ukraine war divided them.
António Filipe remarked that between “Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, it’s a devil’s choice,” opposing increased support for Ukraine and advocating that “Europe should have invested in a peace solution.”
Meanwhile, the former BE leader invoked the Left’s tradition of supporting the self-determination of peoples, asserting that it is “normal to support Ukraine during a Russian invasion.”
Nevertheless, she expressed shock at the creation of a peace agreement excluding Ukraine from the negotiation table, lamenting that the European Union has become “a doormat for the United States, allied with Russia.” She described this as “a grave error.”
The presidential elections are scheduled for January 18, 2026.
