Cavaco Silva calls for ‘political change’ and ‘new hope’ led by AD

Former President of the Republic Cavaca Silva called on Tuesday for “political change” led by the Democratic Alliance (AD), at a book launch in which he participated along with Luis Montenegro, Pinto Balseman and Manuela Ferreira Leite.

In the end, answering a question from journalists about the private meeting on Monday evening between the leader of the AD and the secretary general of the PS Pedro Nuno Santos, Cavaco Silva replied that he had only seen part of it and did not want to be a commentator.

“I have said and will say again that the country needs political change that will bring new hope, new living conditions and a better future, especially for our youth, and I hope that AD will be at the forefront of this change,” he said leader of the SDP who was Prime Minister from 1985 to 1995.

Former prime minister and PSD number one activist Francisco Pinto Balseman was present at the debate and, if anyone had asked him to take notes, he would have attributed the victory to Luis Montenegro.

“I think he was more insightful, he knows more about the subject, he is more prepared in a specific way,” he said, expressing his readiness to continue supporting AD until the expected legislative elections on March 10.

The launch of the book “40 Anos do Instituto Francisco Sá Carneiro”, written by journalist Joana Reis of Alêtheia Editores, which took place at the Grémio Literário in Lisbon, was attended by another former PSD leader, Manuela Ferreira Leite, and other famous people. party figures such as Leonor Beleza, Assunção Estevez or Carlos Carreiras.

In his speech, the President of the PSD and leader of the AD (a coalition that, like the first one in the 80s under the leadership of Sá Carneiro, unites PSD, CDS-PP and PPM) emphasized the importance of the Institute’s work in deepening knowledge.

“To make the right decision, it is better not to be thoughtless, it is better not to act suddenly,” he said in an ironic tone, referring to his opponent Pedro Nuno Santos.

Montenegro defended the qualifications of the lists of candidates for the AD, believing that this is the “biggest indicator of the qualifications” that he intends to convey to the government and all government bodies if he wins the elections, without looking only at the party choice.

“The disqualification of political action has unfortunately become a hallmark of recent years, and the outlook is not bright. We do it like Sa Carneiro, we go against the grain, we take on the responsibility to do things differently, to make a difference,” he said.

The leader of the Social Democrats dared to say that if PSD founder Francisco Sa Carneiro were alive, “his greatest task, his greatest goal would be to give young Portuguese the idea that they do not have to leave Portugal to achieve their goals.” dreams.”

“What worries me most today is looking at new generations, not thinking about their qualifications,” he said, assuring that in the next 19 days of the election campaign he will try to convey that this is his main motivation.