Presidential. The exchanges of barbs between candidates

It is open to the exchange of “fire” among candidates and protocates to the 2026 presidential. The main target to slaughter of course: Henrique Gouveia and Melo. The former larger state chief of the Armada has not even confirmed the candidacy and is already the favorite and, at the same time, the most attacked among all the putative names of the race to Belém.

The opinion article published by the military in the weekly Expresso was received by some as « a statement of candidacy ». The words were used by Marques Mendes who took the opportunity to give the « presidential marathon » to the admiral, while criticizing some of the ideas released in the chronicle.

Since the presentation speech of his candidacy in Fafe, Marques Mendes has made Gouveia and Melo his opposition focus, which has already earned several striking phrases, which have opened headline titles. From criticism of the Admiral's political inexperience to the lack of knowledge about the Constitution, the former PSD leader has made no effort to try to remove the strength to the main favorite to win the elections.

Although more reserved and thoughtful in the reactions, Gouveia and Melo did not fail to respond to the lyrics. While Marques Mendes says he wants to be a « president of all the Portuguese », moving away from the party to whom he has historical links (the PSD); On the other hand, Gouveia and Melo counterattack, mentioning that « no president can be truly » from all « if clearly associated with a political faction. »

When the former PSD leader argues that the next President of the Republic must « build bridges » among the various parties, Admiral opposes: « Bridges are not built on networks of influence, comparatives, or political-party intrigues. »

More or less right, other candidates have also publicly criticized the ideas of Gouveia and Melo -or lack of them -but they did not fail to shoot each other.

Mariana Leitão, who has already confirmed the presidential candidacy for IL, spared no criticism of the right -wing candidates. The liberal considers that Henrique Gouveia and Melo does not represent the desirable « balance », while Luís Marques Mendes is far from representing « ambition ».
If in doubt there was about the climate of pre-presential tension, the conference organized by Sedes Jovem was the scene of another wave of reprimands to the Admiral, who was also one of the speakers.

Of the five presidential presidential present at the event, three (Marques Mendes, Seguro and Mariana Leitão) pointed out their finger to Gouveia and Melo, who criticized for the defense they want to make the presidential « atomic bomb » and for being against party candidates.

MARQUES MENDES

«I want to be president of all Portuguese. Today I delivered my PSD militant card »
Presentation of the candidacy of the former PSD leader in Fafe
February 6, 2025

«The next PR will have to be a bridge builder. Bridges of understanding between government and opposition »
Opinion article in JN
December 1, 2024

«(The PR must) draw attention if it is a bad government and govern badly. A person with political experience of constitution would not say that. Open a political crisis so it would be irresponsible »
Jovem Sedes Conference
February 24, 2025

«I saw this opinion article (in Express) as a statement of candidacy for the Presidency of the Republic. And so I greet Gouveia Melo for this statement of candidacy. It's welcome »
Jovem Sedes Conference
February 24, 2025

Henrique Gouveia and Melo

« No president can be truly » from all « if it is clearly associated with a political faction»
Opinion article in Expresso
February 21, 2025

«Bridges are not built on networks of influence, comparatives or political-party intrigues»
Opinion article in Expresso February 21, 2025

“The power to call early elections or even special situations are confirmed (to PR) to dismiss the government. It should only be exercised when existing (…) a serious disadvantage between the government's practices and the will suffocated by the people »
Opinion article in Expresso
February 21, 2025

«Welcome me does not mean that you have come to the campaign. Candidates can say whatever they want, it will not influence me »
Admiral spoke to journalists on the way out of the Sedes Jovem conference
February 25, 2025

António José Seguro

“Tonight, looking at each one of you, I feel deep inside me. I feel the strength of a people who never give up »
PS militant at dinner in Celorico de Basto to support the presidential candidacy
February 22, 2025

«Who evaluates the fulfillment of the electoral promises is Parliament during the four years, and then in the end, the people. Those who think the opposite is committing a real run over to the Constitution »
Jovem Sedes Conference
February 24, 2025

Mariana Leitão

« The democratic system is composed of political parties, otherwise we or lived in anarchy or lived in an autocracy and spendly dispensed with any of these systems. »
Presidential candidate for IL at the Sedes Jovem Conference
February 24, 2025

«Marques Mendes is part of the story in which, in recent decades, we have always had the same policies waiting for, by miracle, to have different results”, interview with Antena 1
February 12, 2025