Presidential Candidate Gouveia e Melo's First Interview: A Vision for Portugal

Henrique Gouveia e Melo, a presidential candidate and former Chief of Staff of the Navy, shared his vision for Portugal in his first major interview. Here are the key points from his discussion:

"My inner shirt only says Portugal"

Gouveia e Melo emphasized his independence, stating, "Imagine a football game with two clubs and a referee wearing one club's shirt. What would that say about his independence? My inner shirt only says Portugal." He aims to be an impartial leader.

Critique of Health System Waste

He criticized the health system's inefficiency, saying, "We might be burying resources in a system that, due to disorganization, is wasting them." He highlighted a "problem of organizational culture."

First Measure: Less Talk, More Substance

His first action as president would be to "start talking less and only when necessary about substantive things." He denied comparing himself to current President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

Immigration and Integration

Gouveia e Melo addressed immigration, stating, "Unregulated immigration violates humanist principles." He stressed the need for integration and rejected the far-right Chega party's approach, saying, "The Chega cannot appropriate this issue."

Military Reserve Proposal

He proposed a voluntary, remunerated military reserve system, arguing against mandatory service: "Everything mandatory is not positive."

Corruption and Justice Reform

He advocated for a "magistracy of influence" to combat corruption and criticized the justice system for its delays, which "burn people without concrete evidence."

Why He Decided to Run

Initially reluctant, he felt a "growing call from the population" to run, citing a loss of credibility in institutions and the concerning rise of figures like Trump.

Gouveia e Melo's interview outlined a reformist, independent vision for Portugal, focusing on efficiency, integrity, and national unity.