Luís Marques Mendes Announces Presidential Candidacy: A Call for Ambition, Stability, and Ethics in Portugal

Luís Marques Mendes Confirms Presidential Bid

Luís Marques Mendes, the former president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), has officially announced his candidacy for the presidency in an interview prior to his latest commentary on Jornal da Noite at SIC. He stated, "I had said there was only one criterion: to be useful to the country. That was the confirmation I made. I have heard many people. I have the obligation to give back what the country has given me over the years, putting this capital at the service of the Portuguese."

Key Concerns Raised

In his commentary, Mendes downplayed being the first major candidate to declare, stressing that ideas matter more than the calendar. He highlighted three main concerns: ambition, stability, and ethics.

• Ambition: Mendes emphasized the need for ambition to counteract the notion of a country that is "accommodated," "depressed," or "complacent." He referred to this mindset as a "disease" that needs addressing.
• Stability: He pointed out that stability is essential, stating, "We cannot spend our lives in political crisis and early elections, like in Madeira. We need to build bridges to avoid that."
• Ethics: Mendes remarked on the "difficult decisions" that many within the PSD did not understand, asserting that it's crucial to go further. He noted, "People are tired of politicians; they need to trust again."

On Potential Adversaries

Regarding potential opponents, Mendes refrained from commenting on figures like Gouveia and Melo, stating, "He is on vacation. He needs to return to present his ideas so they can be debated."

Upcoming Presentation

The former PSD leader's candidacy will be officially presented next Thursday in Fafe, close to his hometown, where he began his political career as a local councilor.

At 67, Luís Marques Mendes has had a long political career, having served as president of the PSD from 2005 to 2007 and holding various governmental roles under former Prime Minister Aníbal Cavaco Silva. Most recently, he has gained recognition as a political commentator on national television, particularly on TVI 24 and SIC over the past 12 years.