“A President of the Republic must be an ambassador of the good examples that the country has. Here we are in one of them, in an area that is so important for our country because sport is very important: it is crucial for all generations, and especially for the younger ones. We are aware of the various problems and the many challenges related to well-being, mental health, and openness to the world,” emphasized the candidate backed by the Left Bloc (BE).
Catarina Martins visited the Velódromo Nacional – Centro de Alto Rendimento in Sangalhos, Anadia municipality (Aveiro district) this afternoon. The center opened in September 2009.
“We need to promote the best we have and demonstrate that there are extraordinary projects in Portugal capable of making a difference, capable of changing everything. It is with this inspiration that we can reinvent Portugal to solve problems,” she stated.
The presidential candidate took the opportunity to mention the world champions and Olympic champions who have been honored over the 15 years of the Velódromo’s activity, situated in a “relatively small area.”
“The whole world comes together here, doing its best, striving, which proves that when there is strategy, investment, and combined efforts, it is possible. It is possible to produce the best results in the world, and it is so good to be proud of it,” she remarked.
She highlighted to journalists the connection between sport and science at this high-performance center.
“This is the best we can do, and I wanted to show just that. I was profoundly moved when Rui Oliveira and Yuri Leitão won the Olympic medal, and I am very happy to be here today, seeing the place that makes these dreams possible,” she said.
Regarding the Sunday night debate with Gouveia e Melo, Catarina Martins expressed her belief that it was enlightening.
“The Presidency of the Republic must represent the entire country, in its differences and diversity, and must live up to this. However, it is not indifferent to how one views the world, the causes it embraces, and I tried to show mine,” she added.
Among her causes, she highlighted “the dignity of workers, the right to have a home and access to health.”
“In a time when we have a government leaning so much to the right, forming alliances with the extreme right, we need a Presidency of the Republic capable of also leaning a bit towards the dignity of labor, promoting the country and, at the same time, maintaining the responsibility of building bridges to truly represent everyone,” she concluded.
The presidential elections are scheduled for January 18, 2026.
This marks the 12th time, including the runoffs of the 1986 elections, that Portuguese citizens are called to choose their President in a democratic setting since 1976.
Besides Catarina Martins (supported by the BE), João Cotrim Figueiredo (endorsed by the Liberal Initiative), António Filipe (with PCP’s backing), António José Seguro (supported by the PS), André Ventura (backed by Chega), Henrique Gouveia e Melo, and Jorge Pinto (supported by Livre), and Luís Marques Mendes (backed by PSD and CDS-PP), among others, have announced their candidacies.
