Despite polls showing him trailing his main rivals, Marques Mendes remains confident that the ballot boxes will prove the numbers wrong after meeting several PSD and Government heavyweights. His public assertion — “it’s not just conviction” — frames a campaign narrative that emphasizes organisational strength, voter mobilisation and the possibility of late swings or polling error. Analysts should watch whether his meetings translate into concrete tactical advantages such as endorsements, ground operations or improved messaging, but the gap in polls still represents a significant challenge that will require measurable momentum to overcome.