Presidential Elections: Marques Mendes Considers Poll Results Encouraging

Presidential candidate Luís Marques Mendes today considered the results of recent polls encouraging, which point to a greater balance between the three presidential candidates already announced.

"Polls are polls. Some are good, some are bad, some are better, some are worse. This poll, for me, is very encouraging. It's very positive. It's hard to find a more encouraging poll," Marques Mendes told reporters on the sidelines of a visit to the Misericórdia de Aveiro Social Complex.

The former PSD leader said that these results show that the contacts he has been making with the Portuguese people in recent months have been worthwhile, recalling that when he announced his candidacy five months ago, the difference that the polls gave to candidate Gouveia e Melo was 20 points in his favor.

"There were many people who even said my candidacy was crazy, that the election was already won and decided. Now, according to this poll, we're tied. It's a three-point margin. And in the second round, the difference between me and Gouveia e Melo is 0.8%," said Marques Mendes.

When asked about the possible entries into the presidential race of Porto Mayor Rui Moreira and Liberal Initiative MEP Cotrim Figueiredo, Marques Mendes said he welcomes all candidates with democratic fair play.

"In a democracy, everyone is welcome. And so, for me, there's no objection. If someone wants to be a member, believes they can be useful to the country, has a vision, a project, everyone is welcome. That's the democratic game, and I don't object," he stated.

The former PSD leader also mentioned that he has been traveling around the country listening to people and explaining the importance of his experience in helping to solve the country's problems while also creating an environment of trust and ambition.

"People already have enough problems. The cost of living, low pensions, low-wage youth, youth immigration—all of these are problems. The world is also in the state it's in. But we have to, with our feet firmly on the ground, without demagoguery, but at the same time, deliver a discourse of hope, pride, and ambition," said Marques Mendes.