Henrique Gouveia e Melo, presidential candidate, asserted today that the role of the President of the Republic is significant and does not pose issues, arguing that there are more critical matters that should warrant concern.
“I believe the role has its significance. It is a role that does not seem to create any problem, and there are much more important and structural things we should be concerned about,” he stated, when queried by journalists in Madeira.
Gouveia e Melo spoke during a brief visit to the construction site of the Madeira Central and University Hospital in the western part of Funchal, following a meeting with the Regional Government President, Social Democrat Miguel Albuquerque.
The candidate asserted that the position of the Republic’s representative does not undermine the autonomy of regions and is “a way for the presidency to stay informed about what is happening in the region and also to be a factor of investment and development for the region.”
When asked whether the appointee to the role should be from Madeira, Gouveia e Melo emphasized that what matters is to be “a good Portuguese.”
“I do not distinguish Portuguese people by their place of birth. I was born in Africa, so if I were to distinguish Portuguese by birthplace, I would not even be here,” he remarked.
Concerning the new hospital, which stirred controversy regarding the funding split between the Madeira executives and the Republic, the candidate noted that “the Government of the Republic is for everyone” and should “fund infrastructure across the entire country.”
“The region also naturally participated, but the country must invest significantly in the archipelagos, considering the insularity and resulting issues,” he highlighted.
Gouveia e Melo stressed that “the archipelagos provide an extraordinary Atlantic dimension to Portugal, crucial in geostrategic, geoeconomic, and geopolitical terms,” underscoring that this should not be disregarded.
Regarding his meeting with Albuquerque at Quinta Vigia (the official residence of the Madeiran executive), the admiral chose not to disclose details of the conversation, explaining that it was a private visit as a presidential candidate.
“I come to visit to understand the region better, talk about other topics that I did not discuss while a navy officer, and understand the issues the regions face,” he noted.
In response to whether he would like the support of the island’s executive chief, Gouveia e Melo replied that he does not formally seek “support from anyone or institutions,” adding that what matters is the support of the Portuguese people.
Henrique Gouveia e Melo began a three-day visit to the Madeira archipelago today, concluding on Sunday with a visit to Porto Santo Island.
