João Cotrim de Figueiredo Presents Candidacy for 2026 Presidential Elections
João Cotrim de Figueiredo has officially announced his candidacy for President of the Republic, aiming to build a country "prepared for the future" with a focus on "culture, knowledge, and growth". In a speech at the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB) in Lisbon, the former leader of the Iniciativa Liberal and current MEP declared that "the path to Belém starts today" and confidently stated he will "go to the second round" of the elections.
Support and Vision
Most supporters of this candidacy "did not identify with the candidates in the field", but Cotrim de Figueiredo believes they now "see themselves in this candidacy" and "have someone to vote for". He emphasized that "the official journey to the Belém Palace begins today", noting that he will submit his candidacy to the Constitutional Court on Monday morning.
Despite acknowledging that he starts from behind and faces skepticism, with some calling his bid "impossible" or questioning the number of candidates, he remarked that there are those who "underestimate" him. "If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that the things the naysayers say won't work are exactly the things worth trying to make work", he asserted.
Key Messages and Criticisms
Cotrim de Figueiredo pointed out that many, including the media, have not yet grasped the "underlying wave forming around this candidacy", attributing this to being "stuck in the laziness of labels". He criticized this mindset, saying "the laziness of not wanting to see is the saddest form of blindness".
He expressed belief that "Portugal is waking up" from this laziness and that there's "nothing better than surprising those who fell asleep on the job".
Goals and Pillars
The goal of his candidacy is to "build a country prepared for the future", which will require significant personal, collective, and national efforts. He stressed that "we should not be afraid of this effort; it is essential" and introduced the three key pillars he considers fundamental: "Culture, Knowledge, and Growth".
Event Details
The MEP and former Iniciativa Liberal leader spoke at the official presentation of his candidacy for the presidential elections on January 18, held at the Centro Cultural de Belém in Lisbon.
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