In interviews conducted with six presidential candidates by the news agency Lusa, various ideological positions were discussed. Henrique Gouveia e Melo appealed to the center, while António José Seguro and João Cotrim Figueiredo emphasized their “independence.” Meanwhile, Catarina Martins, António Filipe, and Jorge Pinto engaged in a competition for the left-wing vote.
The debate over the true left-wing candidate was a focal point for António Filipe and Catarina Martins, both of whom decisively refused to withdraw in favor of António José Seguro, unlike Jorge Pinto, whose potential support depended on an ideological clarification from the former Socialist leader. The candidate backed by Livre declared intentions to maintain his candidacy until January 18.
“I am the Left candidate,” asserted António Filipe, supported by the PCP, during his interview with Lusa, suggesting that Seguro is “closer to the stance” of Luís Marques Mendes than his own.
António Filipe advocates for left-wing convergence around his candidacy in the presidential race, dismissing António José Seguro as someone sharing positions with Luís Marques Mendes.
The former coordinator of the Bloco also maintained the existence of a “left-wing space not represented in the presidential race.” She emphasized the need for a woman in the electoral campaign, stating, “It was sincerely necessary.”
Catarina Martins, a presidential candidate as well, dismissed coronel Vasco Lourenço’s call for the Left to concentrate votes on António José Seguro as nonsensical, stressing the necessity for female representation in the race.
Conversely, Jorge Pinto expressed a willingness to step aside for Seguro if certain conditions were met, including assuming a leftist stance and aligning with the “republican pact” he proposed, concerning areas like health and housing.
“I believe António José Seguro is left-wing: he is a former Secretary-General of the largest left-wing party in our democracy. If he is ashamed or sees being left-wing as a limitation, it’s his problem,” stated the candidate endorsed by Livre.
Jorge Pinto, a presidential candidate, considers withdrawing in favor of António José Seguro, challenging him to clarify his ideological stance and demanding reciprocity if his own candidacy grows.
While Filipe and Martins lay claim to being the best left-wing candidate, Seguro highlights his candidacy’s “independent nature,” which will remain unaffected despite PS support. He acknowledged the importance of Pedro Nuno Santos placing his name among potential candidates.
“It was crucial for some people to start saying they supported me, encouraging me to run, and for some who hadn’t considered me as a presidential candidate,” he noted.
António José Seguro emphasizes that his presidential candidacy’s “independent nature” will not change with PS support, acknowledging how significant it was for Pedro Nuno Santos to mention him among potential candidates.
Cotrim Figueiredo, backed by IL, aims to appeal to abstainers, undecided voters, and those ranging from Chega to the PS, seeking to advance to the second round.
“My electoral value – my base is the European elections, the last time I ran – is 9%. What’s needed to reach the second round? Nobody is certain. Is it 20%, 21%, or 23%? I don’t know.” Therefore, that space from 9% to 22%, I need to capture 13% from these 60% who are available. It’s not impossible,” evaluated Cotrim Figueiredo, targeting a second-round entry.
João Cotrim Figueiredo, running for the presidency, aims to attract abstentionists, undecided voters, and those spanning from the PS to Chega, suggesting he’s already benefiting from a vote transfer from the campaigns of Seguro, Marques Mendes, and Ventura.
Gouveia e Melo proudly embraces his military background, which he considers an asset, while presenting himself as “a civilian” and appealing to the center.
Expressing his annoyance with the argument about potential dangers due to his military background, the former Navy Chief of Staff expressed admiration for Mário Soares as the President he liked most, “even as a human being,” distancing himself from democratic Portugal’s first military state heads, António de Spínola and Costa Gomes.
In an interview, he argued that Marques Mendes will “owe a debt to PSD,” which “will be collected” if elected, criticizing Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for dissolving parliament despite the PS holding an absolute majority, stating, “Short governance cycles don’t resolve national issues,” he remarked.
Presidential hopeful Gouveia e Melo names Mário Soares as his model President, highlighting Ramalho Eanes’s contributions to democracy while distancing from the unelected military heads of state post-April 25th.
Catarina Martins also distanced herself from the current President, vowing not to resort to parliament dissolution due to State Budget rejections, in line with Seguro, for whom such a measure is “the last of last resorts.”
The candidates have differing opinions on potentially swearing in a Chega-led government. Seguro argues he will not “substitute the courts,” as it’s their responsibility to check party constitutionality and legality.
“I don’t support constitutional coups. I am a democrat, so I respect the people’s voice. Would I contradict what the people tell me as President?” pondered Seguro, noting that if elected, he’ll demand transparency and ethical principles adherence when forming governments.
“I’ll be a constitutional President, demanding bulletproof ethics,” he promised.
Cotrim Figueiredo also assured he would treat a Chega government the same as any other political color.
Jorge Pinto echoed this sentiment, stating his constitutional powers interpretation won’t change, irrespective of who, Ventura or another, wins, clarifying that he would only dissolve Parliament in the face of a drastic constitutional overhaul by right and far-right, threatening “freedoms, rights, and guarantees.”
António Filipe indicated a preference to avoid giving power to a government led or involving Chega. If unavoidable, he would remain watchful to ensure no constitutional violations. Martins was definitive: “With me as President, Chega will never govern.”
The Presidential elections are scheduled for January 18.
