Miguel A. Lopes / Lusa
André Ventura states that running for presidential elections of the beginning of next year is not ideal and that it would be “a bad sign for the country” that the opposition leader is a candidate for president. The arrival addressed the possibility of supporting Gouveia and Melo, but retreated.
The president of the arrival showed today available to return to the President of the Republic, although not considering the ideal solution, and indicated that the goal is support a candidate that disputes the second round.
“If you want, and understand that I should go, I will be here. If you understand that I should not go, I will be. If you understand that another or another, and who, I must go, I will be here too, as the one who best represents you,” he said André Venturain the opening speech of the National Council, which is gathered tonight in Lisbon to discuss the presidential elections.
The Leader of the arrival, however, said that he applied for the presidential election of the beginning of next year It is not “the ideal” and that “It would be a bad sign for the country May the opposition leader be a candidate for president of the Republic. ”
“Because I understand that The country gave me a responsibilityand a mission, to lead the transformation that the country needs in the various branches of political power but, above all, to be able to bring Portugal to become a decent countryfree of corruption, free of comparatives, firm in security, firm in defense of borders and firm in the struggle Against this ‘Woke’ culture that settled today in Portugal, ”he said.
He also argued that The party must have a candidateeven if you support another figure, but refused “going into crazy adventures” And someone who will have a result that is “a disaster.”
“We should not give the Portuguese empty candidacieswithout meaning or without impact ”and choose someone who is unknown to voters, added Ventura, who also indicated that the goal is the party run the second round of the presidential elections.
In a 30 -minute speech, it took advantage ofto criticize some of the candidates who have already entered the race to Belém, notably Henrique Gouveia and MeloLuís Marques Mendes and António José Seguro. The Leader of the arrival said he approached with the party to Possibility to support Gouveia and Melobut ended up retreating.
“The arrival cannot support a candidate that says it will clean the system, but Isaltino Morais and Rui Rio Next to your candidacy, ”said Ventura.
“The arrival cannot support a presidential candidacy that says it comes to do differently, but applauds the President’s veto to the Foreign LawIt is said that the country needs more immigration, ”added the arrival leader.
“The arrival cannot support a candidate for president of the Republic who says it is true that one has to investigate responsibilities and That cavancal conversation of the 1990s, but when the arrival proposes an inquiry committee says it is excessive and negative for democracy“He justified.
Ventura also rejected supporting the former PSD and PS leaders, and indicated that would leave the arrival of the arrival If the party decided to subscribe to the candidacy of Luís Marques Mendes or António José Seguro.
The criticisms extended to the current President of the Republicwhich nicknamed “a disaster for democracy“, With the deputy saying that he does not want” another Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa “.
This National Council was summoned to hear the position of the militants As for what should be the arrival strategy for the presidential. On Tuesday, in an interview with CNN Portugal, Ventura indicated that the decision will be announced Until Monday.
Deputies, leaders and advisers of the arrival described to the environment as “very divided”with many arguments exchanged between those who consider that Ventura really should go to the presidential – many for assuming that there is no good option on the horizon – and who looks at the idea with fears.
Announced is already the Ventura Reviewing The Leader of the arrival. “I want to leave you today clear, as you told you at other times, regardless of whether or not you advance to the presidential elections and regardless of your result: I will re-apply the president of the arrivalbecause I understand thatI work is not finished“, He advanced Ventura.
The Leader of the arrival was a candidate for president of the Republic in 2021, when Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was elected for the second term in Belém. André Ventura had 11.90% of the votes, and It was thirdbehind Ana Gomes.
Before the May legislative elections, the arrival of the arrival had announced the intention to apply for President of the Republicbut I had been distanced from this possibility after the Party reinforcement in the last legislative, which has become in the Second largest force in Parliament.
The poll released this Friday puts, for the first time, the. Com 26,8% voting intentions, the party of André Ventura surpasses the 25.9% of AD and the 23.6% of PS. The three political forces are very close but the leader is the arrival.
The poll indicates a 4 -point climb percentages of arrives in relation to the results of this year’s legislative elections. 60% of respondents also recognizes Ventura as the opposition leadereven among PS voters: only 35% attribute this position to José Luís Carneiro.
