Portas Backs Seguro in Portuguese Presidential Runoff, Condemns “Extremism”
Table of Contents
A prominent voice in Portuguese politics, Paulo Portas, announced his support for António José Seguro in the upcoming second round of the presidential election, framing the choice as a rejection of division and a preference for a “moderate candidate.” the former CDS leader’s endorsement comes as Portugal prepares to choose between Seguro and André Ventura, leader of the Chega party.
Portas,speaking in his regular commentary segment on TVI,stated he had “knew very well from the beginning who he would never vote for President of the Republic.” He argued that the head of state must prioritize national unity and embody the “best of the community” – qualities he does not believe are present in Ventura.
A Rejection of Divisive Politics
The former deputy prime minister was particularly critical of Ventura’s rhetoric, stating, “It doesn’t seem to me, at all, that the other candidate, that gentleman who shouts a lot, would be for the Presidency of the Republic to unite anything. Because he only knows how to divide, set one against the other, divide the nation into tribes, races, ethnicities, religious confessions.” Portas characterized this approach as fundamentally opposed to the function of the presidency.
Despite acknowledging “doctrinal differences” with Seguro,the former general secretary of the PS,Portas emphasized that these differences paled in comparison to those with Ventura. He described the distinctions as being rooted in “humanism and the way we look at human beings.” Portas further lauded Seguro as a “decent politician,” recalling his contributions during a “very tough time for Portugal.”
Beyond Left vs. Right
Portas actively pushed back against the notion that the election is simply a contest between the left and the right. “For those who say that this is an election between the right and the left, that is a huge exaggeration,” he asserted. He positioned the race as a choice between a centrist politician and one representing the “right of the right” and embracing “extremism.”
Seguro’s Past Leadership Highlighted
The former centrist leader also pointed to Seguro’s past successes as a key reason for his support. Portas noted that without Seguro’s leadership, crucial agreements with the UGT regarding social consultation, labor reform – which he claimed “created a lot of jobs” – and reductions in the IRC would not have been possible. He even framed Seguro’s removal as leader of the Socialist Party by António Costa as a “title of nobility,” rather than a sign of weakness.
Concerns Over Foreign and security Policy
portas also expressed concerns about Ventura’s potential approach to foreign policy,stating he does not want a “faction foreign policy” that could jeopardize Portugal’s relationships,particularly with other Portuguese-speaking countries. He stressed that foreign policy should be guided by national interests, not partisan agendas. Moreover, he raised alarms about Ventura’s party, Chega, proposing that police officers be allowed to have party affiliation, warning of the potential for creating “militias within the security forces.”
CDS-PP Remains Neutral
While Portas personally endorsed Seguro,the CDS-PP announced on Wednesday that it would not officially support either candidate in the second round. The party stated its opposition to both “socialism” and “populism,” with parliamentary leader Paulo Núncio labeling Ventura an “anti-democratic candidate.”
Portas concluded that his choice was clear, advocating for a leader who prioritizes unity, moderation, and a commitment to the core values of Portuguese society.
