The candidate for the Presidency of the Republic Gouveia e Melo stated this Friday, December 26th, that his opponent Luís Marques Mendes is running a “dirty campaign” and continues to not explain what his profession is and what “interests are involved”.
“A dirty campaign is being carried out by those who talk about this and continue not to explain what their true profession is and what interests are involved in their profession. Until I explain this, which is not illegal, but which must explain to the Portuguese people what their interests are, I have nothing to say to this gentleman”declared Henrique Gouveia e Melo, asked about Marques Mendes’ accusations that he considered that the admiral’s mask had fallen, accusing him of not having the level or sense of State to be President of the Republic.
“The only thing I have to say is: explain yourself, clarify, because this is what the Portuguese people want. There is nothing more to say. It wasn’t me who raised the problem, the problem was raised by the opacity of this candidate”replied Gouveia e Melo who was speaking to journalists, in the center of Funchal, during a visit to Placa Central da Avenida Arriaga, where the Christmas market with drinks and other traditional Madeira delicacies is located.
The initiative was attended by the former president of the Government of Madeira and the regional PSD Alberto João Jardim and the president of the CDS-PP/Madeira and regional secretary of Economy, José Manuel Rodrigues.
The three toasted with the traditional fisherman’s poncha, in one of the stalls at Placa Central, where Alberto João Jardim harshly criticized the candidate supported by the PSD and praised Gouveia e Melo.
Regarding the admiral, he said that “he is the only candidate who is committed to building the country” and “he is closer” to the PSD that Jardim “helped to found, than to the current one”.
After, When asked about Marques Mendes having said that Gouveia e Melo has no sense of State, Alberto João Jardim pointed out that “he should be well educated” and that he does not admit stating “that the career politicians who were with the admiral were politicians”.
“He’s a politician, with what he’s doing in the games of interests. I don’t admit that, having served the country for 40 years as he did, this gentleman says he’s a bunch of politicians,” he said.
For his part, Gouveia e Melo rejected that these were “harsh words” and pointed out that “they are wise words from someone who has been in politics for 40 years and owes nothing to anyone”.
Marques Mendes said on Tuesday about Gouveia e Melo that the candidate ran dirty campaigns, threw mud at the debate and had no sense of State to be President of the Republic”, in allusion to the last face-to-face between the two presidential candidates.
The admiral is in Madeira this Friday, where he has established contacts with the population and is heading to the Azores on Saturday, where he will stay for three days.
Gouveia e Melo highlighted that the archipelagos “are essential” and give “strategic capacity” and dimension to Portugal.
He also considered that he has “a great chance of winning” the presidential elections in Madeira, “with the help of Dr. Alberto João Jardim and the prestige he has”.
The presidential elections are scheduled for January 18.