In analyzing the results of these presidential elections, I would first like to highlight the results of abstention. In a very difficult, harsh context, the Portuguese demonstrated that they value Democracy and the vote. And that the populist proposal to postpone the elections, in addition to having no legal-constitutional framework, was not politically justified. Postponing elections must always be exceptional because it is a dangerous precedent. The Portuguese taught a lesson in Democracy that can only make us proud as a People.
If the projection is confirmed, António José Seguro won this second round of the presidential elections with almost double the result of his opponent. This means that the Portuguese understood the enormous importance of these elections for Democracy and freedom. As I mentioned throughout these weeks of campaigning, what was at stake in this second round was not a left/right positioning, but rather the difference between Democracy and authoritarianism; between respect for fundamental rights and their oppression; between progressivism and conservatism; between the welfare state and ultraliberalism.
In short, the Portuguese were very clear in choosing a President of the Republic who will respect and ensure respect for the Constitution and who will be the guarantor of citizens’ fundamental rights and the regular functioning of democratic institutions.
On the other hand, this is the victory of the candidate who called for conciliation and tolerance, rejecting populism.
At a time when authoritarianism, demagogy, repression and intolerance are growing in the international context, having a PR that represents and defends the values of Democracy and decency places Portugal definitively “on the right side of History”, which, personally as a Portuguese woman, makes me very proud of our country and my fellow citizens.
This is the great meaning that comes from António José Seguro’s victory and, I am sure, from his mandate.
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