Luís Marques Mendes to Announce Presidential Candidacy in Fafe This Thursday

Luís Marques Mendes: A New Contender for Belém

Luís Marques Mendes, a prominent political commentator and State Counselor, is set to announce his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections this Thursday in Fafe, the town where he began his political journey.

Three weeks ago, Mendes met with Luís Montenegro during a gathering of PSD mayors in Ovar, where the Prime Minister hinted that the PSD's solution for the presidential question was 'close'.

According to the weekly magazine Expresso, Mendes will present his candidacy at the Misericórdia de Fafe auditorium, named after his father, António Marques Mendes, who was a founder of the PSD in the region and a former deputy in both the Assembly of the Republic and the European Parliament. Notably, Mendes was born in Azurém, Guimarães, on September 5, 1957, but has spent much of his life in Fafe.

Mendes has served in three of Cavaco Silva's governments, holding positions as Secretary of State for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers from 1987 to 1992, and as Minister of State to the Prime Minister from 1992 to 1995. He also served as the President of the PSD, elected in 2005.

Currently, he is a State Counselor appointed by the sitting President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and has been a television commentator on SIC since 2013, with his final appearance scheduled for this Sunday.

Presidential elections are slated for the end of January next year, with the PS party set to discuss the presidential elections on February 8. The National Commission may deliberate on supporting a candidate, with names like António José Seguro and António Vitorino being mentioned, although none have officially declared their candidacy yet.

Former Socialist Secretary-General António José Seguro believes that PS leaders have already decided to back António Vitorino in a potential race for the Palácio de Belém.