Henrique Gouveia e Melo, a presidential candidate, found himself at the center of a controversial moment during his visit to Madeira. He accepted and then immediately returned a rope with a hangman's noose gifted by the regional leader of the ADN party. The gesture was met with a sharp retort from Gouveia e Melo, who suggested the rope be used to 'hang' the party's anti-science ideas.
"I accept, but I will return it to you. Do you know why? So you can hang your ideas of denialism, flat-earthism, and the claim that there are no climate changes," he stated before moving on, bidding the ADN leader, Miguel Pita, a polite farewell.
The encounter occurred at the entrance of the Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal, where Gouveia e Melo was engaging with locals and merchants as part of his regional visit. Miguel Pita later explained his intention was to question the admiral's change of heart regarding politics, referencing Gouveia e Melo's 2021 statement about being a 'terrible politician.' Pita also aimed to discuss the NRP Mondengo crew incident and the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, highlighting his own unvaccinated status as a point of contention.
This visit marks Gouveia e Melo's effort to connect with regional issues and Portuguese citizens, emphasizing the importance of public support over formal endorsements. His itinerary included meetings with local government officials and visits to significant regional projects, underscoring his commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by the autonomous regions.
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