Diego Carcedo
Journalist / President of the Association of European Journalists
There was no surprise in the Portuguese presidential elections. The fear that the pandemic – which is at its peak these days – would affect turnout was hardly felt and the predictions came true to the letter: voter turnout was similar to five years ago and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the president who in the midst of so many problems – economic crisis and pandemic included – acquired the highest level of sympathy among the five heads of state who preceded him – he enjoys the affection of citizens from all walks of life who consider them as one of their own – won over the seven candidates vying for the post by a clear majority of more than sixty percent of the vote, which guarantees his re-election without the need to compete in a second round.
Rebelo de Sousa, a professor and journalist – he became famous for his political commentary on public television – belongs to the Social Democratic Party founded by the late Francisco Sá Carneiro, the party that in past decades alternated in power with the Socialist Party, which for many legislatures was headed by the late Mario Soares. The PSD’s political line is liberal, but Rebelo de Sousa’s is more in line with the centrism that triumphs in Europe. Unlike other presidents who preceded him, he had no known conflict with the prime minister, currently Antonio Costa.
The collaboration and excellent relationship between the two top Portuguese politicians has been responsible for a large part of the modernisation and economic growth that the country has experienced in recent years. Satisfied with this relationship, the Socialists for the first time renounced presenting an official candidate of their own. He ran as a socialist, but without the official party label. The Portuguese EU Commissioner, the brilliant economist Ana Gomes, who fulfilled her mission with dignity, came in second place, albeit a long way behind the winner.
Probably the biggest surprise on the list of deputies is André Ventura, candidate for Chega!, the extreme right-wing party that already in the last elections obtained results that gave it a seat in the Assembly of the Republic. Rebelo de Sousa was pleased with his victory with the modesty that characterises him. He will remain faithful to the political line that has brought him so much popularity and respect. His concern is with the poorer classes and with social problems in general. He travels the country almost daily. Wherever there is a disaster or misfortune, he is there, ready to help and console the families of the victims, the injured or the homeless.
His admiration for Spain and Spanish culture is well known. He follows the vicissitudes of Spanish politics and is one of the Portuguese who shares the idea that the two countries need mutual support, especially in the context of international politics. He frequently visits Spain to give lectures – he speaks Spanish among other languages – and is an excellent friend of King Felipe VI.
© This is a translation of de original article published in Atalayar
