Two new candidates enter Presidential race
Luís Marques Mendes, from the Social Democrats, and Mariana Leitão, from the Liberals, are the latest figures to announce their Presidential bid.
The Portuguese presidential race is heating up with two new candidates officially announcing their bids.
On Thursday, Luís Marques Mendes launched his candidacy in Fafe, the town where he grew up and began his political career.
The former PSD leader, backed by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, positioned himself as a unifier, emphasizing stability and political experience.
Addressing supporters in a packed auditorium, Marques Mendes declared that it was time to give back to Portugal.
“Dear Portuguese citizens, throughout our lives, we all have defining moments. Today is one of those moments for me. It is, above all, a moment to give back. I want to repay my country for everything it has given me in knowledge, experience, and opportunities.”
The former PSD leader (2005-2007) outlined six commitments, with national unity as the foremost priority. He emphasized ethics, stability, and the importance of political bridges.
“The President of the Republic must be a bridge-builder, ensuring stability and collective progress. We must avoid political crises. Constant dissolutions and early elections cannot be our way of life,” he stated, subtly distancing himself from Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s tenure.
'Not a Time for Reckless Gambles'
With the election still a year away and polls favoring retired Portuguese Navy officer Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Marques Mendes stressed that the presidency is inherently political and should be held by someone with experience.
“The Presidency of the Republic is a political office. It should be exercised by someone with political experience. This is not a time for reckless gambles or shots in the dark.”
One of his key themes was national security.
“A safe country is a valuable national asset,” he asserted, adding, “We don’t need security crackdowns; we need motivated law enforcement and informed, rigorous discussions on security.”
To run for the presidency, Marques Mendes stepped down from his role as a political commentator after 12 years at SIC. In Fafe, he also announced that he had renounced his PSD membership to be “a president for all Portuguese.”
Mariana Leitão Joins the Race for the Liberal Initiative
Meanwhile, the Liberal Initiative (IL) also entered the race, announcing Mariana Leitão as its presidential candidate.
At the party’s congress in Loures, leader Rui Rocha declared, “Portugal needs Mariana Leitão,” to enthusiastic applause.
At 42, the IL parliamentary leader framed her candidacy as “a campaign for freedom over fear, optimism over pessimism, and ambition for Portugal’s future.”
She emphasized the importance of ensuring liberal ideas have a strong voice in the presidential contest.
Who Else is Running?
While the official candidate list remains small, several names have already been confirmed.
To the right, Chega leader André Ventura has confirmed his candidacy, with an official announcement set for February 28.
André Pestana, the national coordinator of the teachers’ union STOP, has also declared his intention to run as an independent candidate representing workers’ rights.
Meanwhile, Joana Amaral Dias has yet to confirm her candidacy, but the ADN party has pledged its support should she decide to enter the race.
On the left, uncertainty prevails. The Socialist Party (PS) has yet to announce a candidate, with internal divisions surfacing even before the election campaign begins.
The most likely contenders appear to be António José Seguro and António Vitorino.
Although nothing is official, former PS Secretary-General António José Seguro believes the party leadership favors António Vitorino. However, he has not ruled out running independently if the PS ultimately backs Vitorino.
The debate over the party’s presidential nominee has sparked internal tensions, with prominent figures expressing support for different candidates. The PS National Commission is set to meet on February 8 to discuss the matter.
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