Pedro Passos Coelho is not just another PSD activist. When he speaks, he is heard; when you are silent, silence acquires political meaning. In a country accustomed to long-winded leaders, but little inclined to take risks or make unpopular decisions, Passos has always stood out for his directness and willingness to go against the spirit of the time. To this, he adds a frugal and discreet lifestyle, different from that of other former rulers, which feeds the idea of a providential leader, capable of returning when the homeland is in trouble. Not like a D. Sebastião shrouded in fog, but rather like a kind of modern Cincinato, a symbol of humility, civic duty and the absence of personal ambition.
This mystique surrounding his person, built over years, explains why, a decade after leaving São Bento, Passos Coelho continues to be seen as the natural leader of the Portuguese right. Neither Luís Montenegro, who brought the PSD back to power, nor André Ventura, who reached 33% in the presidential elections, still seem capable of contesting this place, even if the memory of their Government fades with time.
The phenomenon was evident in the recent presidential elections: the three right-wing candidates sought his support, claiming the political heritage they believe descended from him. Even Marques Mendes, with whom Passos has less ideological affinities, would have enthusiastically welcomed a word of support. But Passos chose to remain silent. And, by not endorsing Marques Mendes, Cotrim de Figueiredo or Ventura, he avoided alienating any segment of the right-wing electorate which, in an uncertain future, could once again be decisive if he wishes to return to active political life.
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