Ambition for Portugal

1. Today, four months I presented my candidacy for President of the Republic. In just four months a lot has changed. In the world and in Portugal. The new US presidency has made a real break with the international order that has been in force since World War II. It is not a conjunctural crisis. It is really a structural rupture. In the rules and values ​​that have made doctrine for decades. It is not a superficial crisis. She is serious and deep. It affects democracy, the economy, the principles of the rule of law, globalization, international security and the transatlantic relationship.
The world has become even more uncertain, insecure and dangerous. And Europe is probably the largest victim of earthquake that has slaughtered over the entire international community. Time is not, however, to cross the arms. The time is to roll up the sleeves, especially in Europe. The European Union has not been very virtuous to act in times of calm and normality. But it has always known to react effectively in emergency and state of necessity situations. The fight against pandemic was only the last example. Therefore, it must be entrusted in the survival instinct and the regenerating capacity of Europeans.

2. In Portugal, an atypical and unexpected crisis gave rise to early elections and of these resulted in the remembrance of the government and a new opposition leadership.
There are four substantive conclusions that I remove from these elections for the future:

• First, it takes a transformative project of the country. A project that generates sustainable wealth. And now, more than a year ago, there is conditions for thinking and realizing it. These are not the ideal conditions, but they are better than those of the past.
• Second, more than fighting it, you need to combat the causes that feed it. It may be more difficult and less sexy, but it is more effective and politically more profitable.
• Third, we need to end the stupid idea that those who bet on political contractualization is a loose. Nothing more wrong. Who negotiates regime agreements have a sense of state. Must be praised and not criticized.
• Fourth, it takes more strategy and less political tactical. The political and media country is addicted to political tactics. The real country wants more strategic sense and more substantive decision. It may be warned to give more ears to the real country.

3.Doping these changes, the three fundamental objectives of the candidacy I presented in February remain intact and current: ambition, stability and ethics.

• The reinforcement of ethics in political life is one of my great causes. I already gave proof of this concern in the past. I want to go back to the theme in the future. Of course the PR does not legislate. But you must inspire the legislator. It is urgent to raise the quality of political decision makers. And for this, it is necessary condition to make changes in the electoral system. Reinforcing political personalization and accountability. It is important to reinforce the ethical dimension of the parties. And, for this purpose, it must be mandatory for parties to have ethics committees, within their organization, like that with disciplinary and financial organs. On the way, we need to end the solution of the “false” deputies. Those who apply and renounce right after the election. Now it succeeded with the PS. In the past with the PSD. It is one of the things that most discredit politics and politicians. We have to be more careful and demanding. It is not a matter of fashion. It is an imperative of defense of democracy.
• Stability is another of my concerns. The country cannot spend life in elections. It is prudent to do everything to not add instability inside the instability that is already from outside. In this regard, legislative elections have improved the conditions of governance, but did not completely resolve the issue of stability. Hence the relevant role that will have the new President of the Republic. The new political circumstances complain that it reinforces its proactivity. I am very clear: it is necessary to avoid censorship motions and confidence motions. It is necessary to negotiate state budgets. And it is indispensable that the PR leads the main parties to be responsible in this direction. The role of presidential mediation is decisive. Not to make sprouts or central blocks. But to avoid political crises. The country must move towards the normality of legislature governments. It is not an obsession. It is a democratic requirement.
• The ambition is finally the great national cause. The cause of the causes. The great reason for my candidacy. Since at least the beginning of the century that Portugal is a country without much ambition. It grows little, has a social state with sustainability problems, wages are generically low, bureaucracy is greater than ever, the great structural blockages remain and a transformative project of the country is missing.
  With an aggravation that there is rarely spoken in public space: today, in the state, there is fear of making decisions. The rulers are afraid. And they are afraid the leaders and technicians of the public administration. Fear of media scrutiny and fear of judicial scrutiny. If a non -decision is the worst of decisions, this unprecedented climate that is lived today, within the state, does not increase anything positive.
  It is in this picture that the role of the next PR is essential. It is not up to him to rule. But it is worth inspiring the country and governance. And not just for the word. In the current circumstances, the influence of PR cannot be exhausted in the use of the word. It must play a more proactive role. Assuming the role of mediator between government and opposition parties to overcome the great blockages that have prevented the greater growth of our economy and lock the opportunities of young people: the slowness of economic justice; the unbearable bureaucracy of the state; the obstacles to the largest competition; the lack of encouragement to greater internationalization; Productivity deficits: or lack of fiscal competitiveness.
  This is the great innovation I propose with this candidacy. Decline the concept of mediation and underline the importance of the mediating power of PR. It’s more, much more than moderator power. The mediator power is proactive: to mediate is to act. It is having initiative. It is making bridges to resolve blockages and impasses. It is generating a new culture of demand and ambition. Think of great and act with ambition.
  A new ambition for Portugal is needed. After all, Portugal is not a mere territory. It is a great nation. The Portuguese deserve a new hope.