Presidential Candidate Gouveia e Melo Takes Stand Against Euthanasia and Reveals Alternative Scenarios for Portugal's Leadership

In a revealing interview with TVI/CNN Portugal, Henrique Gouveia e Melo, a presidential candidate, declared himself "pro-life" and firmly against euthanasia. He stated that if elected, he would send any euthanasia law to the Constitutional Court for review.

Gouveia e Melo expressed his stance on abortion, noting that the issue is "already resolved in Portuguese society", and did not advocate for extending the current 10-week limit.

When asked about his actions if he were in President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's position during António Costa's resignation in November 2023, Gouveia e Melo disagreed with the dissolution of the Assembly of the Republic. Instead, he would have sworn in Mário Centeno as Prime Minister, as suggested by the PS, emphasizing that "the Constitution does not mandate elections to elect the Prime Minister."

He also critiqued the 2021 Parliament dissolution following the budget rejection by the Left Bloc and PCP, arguing that the Constitution does not require such a measure. Gouveia e Melo advocates for dissolution only in cases of "grave misalignment between electoral promises and actual governance."

On justice reform, he echoed Rui Rio's concerns, criticizing the current system for its "pillory justice" and the erosion of the presumption of innocence.

Regarding support from André Ventura, Gouveia e Melo reiterated his refusal of organized political endorsements but welcomed individual votes, distancing himself from "extremes of both right and left."