Mário Cruz / Lusa
Henrique Gouveia e Melo.
Admiral thanked the Portuguese for their “sympathy” and warned of the Russian threat and the possibility of Portugal’s sovereignty over some maritime areas being compromised if the international system collapses.
Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo argued this Friday that the investment in Defense in the country and in Europe it should be a theme of the January 2026 presidential election campaign, although it remains unclear whether or not he will be a candidate.
The former Chief of Staff of the Navy and much talked about candidate for a potential candidacy for the Presidency of the Republic, when questioned about whether since being retired on December 27th, he is closer to a possible candidacy, replied: “ since I went to the reserve I’m closer to taking a well-deserved vacation and then we’ll see”.
“I had very intense years, three years commanding the Navy, the previous year related to the pandemic [covid-19]and therefore I think I deserve a vacation at least for a while”, he added.
“I thank the Portuguese for their kindness”
For the first time in public after leaving military and civilian life, Gouveia e Melo rejected that the results of the presidential race represent a factor of greater pressure to make a decision.
“I see the research, what it means, I thank the Portuguese for the kindness they often show even on the street and the trust they have in me and for me is just that”.
“Urgent” to debate Defense in the campaign
Regarding the military defense of Portugal and Europe in the international context, Gouveia e Melo considered it “urgent and necessary” to debate the issue in the presidential campaign, considering that the country cannot ignore a problem that “could affect” not only the security but also prosperity.
Gouveia e Melo stated that the Russia tries to “change regimes [europeus] that are democratic and convert them into proto-democratic regimes, not to call it anything else” and warned that the Europe’s freedom, prosperity and security are at risk.
“What are we going to do? Let’s pretend the problem doesn’t exist? Didn’t we argue? Do we close our eyes?” he asked.
“What’s the point of having expenses if we don’t have a country?”
The admiral argued that in the current context, international laws “are at stake” and the sovereignty that Portugal has over some maritime areas could be compromised if this international system collapses.
After this week the President-elect of the USA, Donald Trumphave argued that the contribution of NATO member states should correspond to 5% of their respective gross domestic products (GDP), more than double the current 2% established by the Atlantic Alliance, Gouveia e Melo was asked whether this investment could mean cuts in social policies.
Gouveia e Melo admitted that, “in some way, there will be some impact on social expenses” with a greater investment in Defense. “But What’s the point of having social expenses if we don’t have a country? Or what if we have to obey an external authority, a dictatorial one at that? Therefore, this is a set of checks and balances that we have to measure”, he stated.
Almirante Gouveia e Melo remains the favorite in polls regarding possible candidates for the Presidency of the Republic in 2026.
In the most recent survey carried out by Pitagórica for TVI, CNN Portugal and Jornal de Notícias, which evaluates the preferences of Portuguese women for women, the admiral leads the way, tied with António Guterres.
Both the military and the current UN Secretary-General collect 28% of preferences of respondents who say that would vote “for sure” in one of them.
