Admiral Gouveia e Melo, who finished fourth in the first round of Portugal’s presidential election, announced he will cast a tactical (‘useful’) vote for António José Seguro in the run-off. Framing the decision as a contribution to a ‘conscious and informed choice’ for the Portuguese who supported him as an independent, he praised Seguro’s moderation, lack of a party-driven agenda and apparent unwillingness to instrumentalise the presidency. The move is presented as strategic rather than partisan, aimed at influencing the final outcome in favour of stability and non‑partisan leadership.