The leader of the political party, established in 2015 as a civic movement, emphasized in an interview the importance of prioritizing national defense in light of the current international context, urging the next government to adopt a new national strategy.
“In defense, the focus should be on investment, not just expenditure,” stated Joaquim Rocha Afonso, highlighting the need to maximize the country’s potential and citing a Portuguese tech company providing drones for surveillance in Ukraine as an example.
Afonso, the top candidate for the Lisbon district, noted that Portugal could contribute to the European Union by focusing on technological development in defense, though a balanced governmental approach is essential.
He stressed the necessity to “ensure the fundamental standards for the sustainability and modernization of the Armed Forces” and noted this entails maintaining and updating equipment, alongside improving military salaries. Afonso stated, “Military personnel should not be concerned if their families back home have enough money for essentials like milk while they are at the frontlines.”
“The backing, which is the Portuguese politicians and the state, must ensure that when a soldier goes to war, their sole focus remains on victory,” he added.
Beyond defense, Joaquim Rocha Afonso sees electoral law reform, which he has long criticized, as another priority. He believes that the Assembly of the Republic should also be inclusive of civic movements.
Afonso critiqued the current method of electing deputies via the D’Hondt system, arguing it undermines the political system’s credibility by wasting approximately a quarter of the votes, especially in smaller constituencies that elect only two or three deputies.
He advocates for compensation constituencies, akin to those in Azorean regional elections, to correct representation imbalances by awarding additional mandates based on total vote shares, thereby aiding underrepresented parties.
Running for the fifth time in legislative elections, Nós, Cidadãos! achieved its best outcome in its debut year, 2015, with 21,439 votes. However, its performance has declined in subsequent elections, garnering only 2,399 votes in 2024.
Despite this trend, Afonso remains hopeful for the elections on May 18, expressing belief in a “miracle” and anticipating a “citizenship revolution.”
“It will happen. Everyone knows people are tired of deceit and small-scale issues,” he remarked, critiquing PSD and PS for their perceived similarities over ideological differences.
“We need to urge our politicians, including myself, to exercise good judgment and prioritize national over partisan interests,” he said, proposing a “National Salvation Government” between the two major parties to set medium and long-term strategic goals.
In the upcoming May 18 legislative elections, Nós, Cidadãos! is contesting in eight districts: Aveiro, Évora, Guarda, Lisbon, Porto, Setúbal, Europe, and Outside Europe.
