Prime Minister António Costa said this Friday that he was “greatly honored and grateful” for the “friendly” statements made by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, that he was his favorite in the PS and that he could preside over the party. Council of Europe.
“I’m not going to comment on statements that I don’t know, but which seem to be good, and for that I am proud and grateful,” said Antonio Costa.
Speaking to Portuguese journalists in Brussels following a two-day meeting of the European Council, the head of government stressed: “I will not comment because, besides, I have not heard the statements, but I am honored.”
The President of the Republic said on Thursday that António Costa was his favorite to head the PS, held him responsible for his dismissal and believes that he has the conditions to preside over the European Council and that he would also be a good presidential candidate .
When asked if he has a favorite in the election campaign for the leadership of the PS, the head of state replied: “Yes, there is. It was Dr. Antonio Costa. He was my favorite. That’s the one I would prefer.”
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who was already asked if he regretted the decision, blamed the Prime Minister for his dismissal: “No, the decision was made by Dr. António Costa. It was he who decided to leave, it was not that he decided to leave due to circumstances known to us.”
“He was the one who told me he was leaving. It wasn’t me who told him: look, go away. No, he told me: given this, in good conscience I cannot stay,” continued Marcelo Rebelo de Souza. . “The decision I made next was a consequence, not a cause of his decision,” he emphasized.
Then, confronted with the opinion of Francisco Assis that António Costa would be very useful as President of the European Council, the President of the Republic agreed: “Ah, but I have no doubts. The Prime Minister has exceptional European prestige and, speaking to elements of various European political groupings, it is clear that he has the conditions to be President of the European Council himself, so he understands that he has internal conditions.”
Regarding the possible candidacy of António Costa for the presidency of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa responded: “You have to ask Dr. António Costa, he is the one who must choose the future, having several possible futures. It’s not me, I have to manage it.” future immediate period of approximately two years.”
“People ask me: in two years, will he be a good presidential candidate? I say: yes, if for now he is not president of the European Council. If he is President of the European Council, he cannot be both. at the same time,” he added.
According to the President of the Republic, it would be impossible to dissuade António Costa from resigning: “How to dissuade a person who has a very, very deep conviction that this is the only correct way out in his life? It’s impossible, it’s impossible.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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