Luís Montenegro, during the evening rally of the AD — PSD/CDS-PP coalition campaign in Vila Real, addressed the crowd under a transparent tent that offered partial protection from the day’s rain.
He highly praised the lead candidate of AD and Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, describing her as a “woman of strength” and stating she holds the most challenging ministry of any government.
Addressing pensioners and retirees, a focal point of the campaign, Luís Montenegro outlined the measures taken by his administration, rejecting the “false fears” spread by the opposition. This came as PS leader Pedro Nuno Santos accused AD of concealing plans to privatize the pension system.
“It is ugly to use false arguments and fears, treating people as mere instruments to gain votes,” criticized Montenegro, who also serves as Prime Minister.
Montenegro argued that this strategy would backfire: “Next Sunday, all Portuguese, especially pensioners and retirees, will teach a lesson to those who prophesize doom and seem to wish for a crisis for additional votes,” he lamented.
“The Portuguese are wiser than those cunning electoral arguments and clearly see where the truth lies,” he asserted.
In an indirect message to the PS Secretary-General, he questioned, “Who wants to govern a country based on hopelessness, almost inviting a crisis?”
Despite the rain, Montenegro emphasized AD’s position at the political center, “in moderation,” distinctly apart from socialism or liberalism.
“We are not socialists. If we were, we would believe the State does everything. We would be expanding the State’s power for its own sake,” he declared.
Yet, he clarified, the political force is not liberal either.
“If we were liberals, we would believe the market takes care of all problems independently. But we don’t believe that. There must be public housing, the National Health Service must underpin the health system, and public education is crucial for equal opportunity,” he maintained, ensuring access for all, “whether in Lisbon or Vila Real.”
Praising Ana Paula Martins, Montenegro adapted a local adage to emphasize her dedication to Vila Real, despite not being from the area.
“Beyond the Marão mountains, those who are here with heart, like Ana Paula Martins, are in charge. She is resilient, competent, and possesses a civic and moral sensibility above average,” he noted.
Regarding health, Montenegro stated that his government aimed to “restore, safeguard, and save” the National Health Service.
“This task requires someone with the fortitude to face daily pressure, despite understandable frustrations when solutions aren’t immediately available,” he said.
He insisted that an AD government would not “waste the capabilities” of other sectors in health, particularly highlighting the role of charities.
In Vila Real, the PSD leader reiterated the need for “four years of stability” to fairly evaluate the government thereafter.
In 2024, the AD coalition won the election in this district, securing two out of five deputies, with PS and Chega obtaining two and one respectively.
[News updated at 21:17]
