"Yesterday was a particularly difficult day" for Cotrim, but today he woke "with renewed strength": "This will not bring me down"
🏛️ Government#ventura+3 more
Presidential candidate João Cotrim de Figueiredo says he still believes he can reach the run-off “despite the difficult days”. “Yesterday was a particularly difficult day and that may have clouded my judgement and my ability to correct my statements,” he says, once again revising remarks made about Ventura: “I wanted to make it clear that I did not want to commit to any candidate and I ended up committing to all of them; that is what caused the misunderstanding. I was not clear.” He added: “It was a rather unfortunate moment on my part. I accept that I lacked clarity.”
Whom would the Portuguese people like to have as a companion when crossing "a dark valley"?
Ventura is a talker, the sort who runs at the first shot. In a theatre of valleys and mountains like Afghanistan, he would be at the base doing the paperwork.
Wooing Ventura's voters? The 'Chega-isation' of Cotrim
Cotrim has not ruled out a possible endorsement of Ventura, while completely rejecting Iniciativa Liberal's strategy. And the difficulties faced by those who rely solely on the SNS for healthcare.
Cotrim's dark day and Ventura's faith
The presidential race continues to stir things up. In a single day, Cotrim found himself involved in two incidents that could damage his aspirations. Ventura is having his Le Pen moment. And there's much more in this newsletter.
God, Homeland, Family and... 'Work'. Ventura says it could be the campaign motto
At the Adega de Vila Real, in Trás-os-Montes, Ventura heard the head of that organisation say 'work, work, work'. The candidate replied that he likes work and that 'God, Homeland, Family and Work is a motto that fills me with pride'.
Mechanic Ventura wants to lead the country and drinks 'in moderation'
Between a wine cellar in Vila Real and a flood in Mirandela, André Ventura casts himself as 'the people's president', says he wants to be a mechanic to 'get the country moving' and even toasts in moderation.
Cotrim Figueiredo não excluiu apoiar Ventura na segunda volta? O que disse o candidato
Cotrim de Figueiredo faced a punishing day after he declined to rule out endorsing André Ventura in a potential second round of the presidential election and was further hit by an allegation of harassment that he denies. The refusal to categorically exclude an endorsement has sparked controversy because it complicates his positioning in a fragmented centre-left electorate and risks alienating voters who oppose Ventura’s platform. The harassment claim, regardless of its veracity, intensifies media scrutiny and could distract the campaign at a critical moment. Strategically, Cotrim may be seeking to keep options open for post‑first‑round negotiations, but the short‑term effect is likely to be reputational damage and increased pressure from opponents and allies to clarify his stance.
A dark day for Cotrim de Figueiredo
Said? Didn’t say. Cotrim admitted he would vote for Ventura, but now says he didn’t. Adding to the controversy, Cotrim denies accusations of harassment.
Cotrim de Figueiredo: "André Ventura over the past four days seems like a different politician"
In a second-round scenario in which he is not present, Cotrim de Figueiredo says he does not rule out supporting André Ventura. The presidential candidate adds, however, that he does not need to give his support to anyone, nor does he expect to receive support if he advances from the first round.
Jorge Pinto says he is sad but not surprised that Cotrim does not rule out supporting Ventura
Presidential candidate Jorge Pinto said today that it saddens him, but does not surprise him, to see João Cotrim Figueiredo not rule out supporting Ventura in a second round, accusing the liberal of abandoning his principles out of political calculation.
Ventura plays down Cotrim's support in a possible second round
André Ventura says that 'God, Fatherland, Family and Work' could be a campaign slogan for the presidential election.
Cotrim experiences his 'momentum': he doesn't attack Chega, but warns that 'voting for Ventura is electing Seguro'
The Liberal says he 'doesn't attack' anyone and asks those who vote for Chega to change their vote because the party president has no 'chance' in the second round.
Ventura says he is confident of reaching the second round and issues a challenge to Montenegro
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André Ventura says he is confident he will advance to the second round of the presidential election and has publicly pressed Prime Minister Montenegro to declare which candidate he would back in a potential runoff against António José Seguro. The move is a calculated challenge designed to force political alignment, provoke a public response from the government and frame the contest as a binary choice that could consolidate Ventura’s support. It signals an early effort to shape campaign narratives, test opponents’ coalitions and put pressure on centrist figures to take clear positions ahead of the first-round vote.
Tracking poll: "We're discovering that the country is even more different than the one we thought we knew when Ventura rose to prominence"
António Costa, commentator for CNN Portugal, analyses the result of this Saturday's tracking poll.
Ventura, the Government/Chega alliance and the second round
Ventura makes use of Chega's record of collaboration with the Government to seek the PSD's vote if the second round is between him and Seguro. Column by Ana Sá Lopes
Ventura leaves it to Montenegro's conscience whether to support him in a second round against Seguro
The candidate said it would 'be interesting' to know what the prime minister and leader of the PSD would do in that scenario.
And in a Ventura–Cotrim run-off, who would win?
“Count on me.” Cotrim’s words are the strongest attempt to associate a candidate from a different party with a government since Eanes’s famous “identification with the AD” in 1981. Column by Ana Sá Lopes.
Admiral spares Ventura and reinforces the non-aggression pact
🏛️ Government#ventura+3 more
In the two group debates it was clear the pair did not attack each other and, even in the face‑to‑face, were restrained. During the campaign the admiral has avoided targeting Ventura. The friendliness has been mutual.
Ventura: "Voting for Cotrim or Mendes is the same thing"
🏛️ Government#ventura+3 more
André Ventura warns that the presidential election is not a “beauty pageant” and says that João Cotrim Figueiredo is the same as Marques Mendes and “doesn't even amount to a tap on the table”.
Tracking poll, day 5: Ventura holds lead as Seguro and Cotrim draw closer
The former leader of Iniciativa Liberal is the candidate with the largest increase in voting intentions. Ventura remains ahead of Seguro, whose support has fallen again. Marques Mendes continues to regain ground.
16:00 — Ventura calls the Council of State 'inopportune'
Ventura says it is inopportune to hold a Council of State during the presidential campaign. António Filipe also says there are five 'Government candidates', claiming one of them is Seguro.
Ventura says he doesn't want to be a 'miss' and shows 'bananas' on the campaign trail
In Sobral de Monte Agraço, Ventura bought bananas and promised to give the fruit’s flesh to friends and the peels to his opponents. For Cotrim, a reminder that the race to Belém is not a 'beauty contest'.
04:00 — Presidential election: Ventura rises to first in the polls
The daily Pitagórica poll for TVI, CNN, TSF and JN places Ventura in first, with 20.5% of voting intentions. Also, Kyiv and Lviv were targeted in a massive attack by Russia.