Marques Mendes Meets Regional Leaders at Madeira’s Government House at Quinta Vigia
After Chega’s André Ventura had dinner in Câmara de Lobos two days ago, Portuguese presidential candidate Luís Marques Mendes was formally received by the President Miguel Albuquerque, at Quinta Vigia in Funchal. Marques Mendes is the favored candiate of Albuquerque’s PSD party. The meeting included key figures from his campaign team and regional officials and reaffirmed close ties between the Madeira regional leadership and his campaign.
Visit Included Public Walkabouts at Funchal’s Market and Main Streets Starting 11:00
Following the official greetings, Marques Mendes walked through central areas of Funchal, including the historic Mercado dos Lavradores and adjacent streets from 11:00, engaging directly with locals and workers. This part of the visit was designed to connect with everyday citizens in the capital city’s busy urban centre.
Latest Polling Patterns of the Portuguese Presidential Elections
The three main candidates are in a tight race for first round. Recent aggregated polling shows the three candidates are all close together, with Marques Mendes slightly ahead on average:
Marques Mendes: ~20.7%
André Ventura: ~19.9%
Henrique Gouveia e Melo: ~18.9%
Afternoon Public Engagement at Christmas Market and University at 17:00
Later in the afternoon, the campaign scheduled a 30-minute public gathering beginning at 17:00 at the Mercado de Natal on Avenida Arriaga, followed by a walk toward the University of Madeira’s reitoria on Rua dos Ferreiros. The event concluded with the presentation of his regional Commission of Honour, a group of local supporters and influencers endorsing his presidential bid.
Campaign Context: Polling and Ongoing Debate Over Candidate Finances
Marques Mendes’s visit to Madeira comes amid heightened national attention on his presidential campaign ahead of the presidential elections. On the same day, he addressed controversy over his income from legal consultancy, a subject of national media scrutiny, asserting he is clarifying details and criticizing what he called “low-level” political attacks.
The magazine Sábado reported on Wednesday that the presidential candidate refused to clarify how he earned 709,000 euros in the last two years as an external consultant for the law firm Abreu Advogados.
At issue are €413,247.58 received in 2023 and €296,309.37 in 2024, amounts that Marques Mendes does not explain in relation to the exact origin of the fees or possible conflicts of interest.
Asked if he fears that this situation could "contaminate the candidacy in any way," Marques Mendes said he is "not afraid of anything," stressing that "this is a political matter" and that the Spinumviva case "proved that Luís Montenegro did not fail to win elections, despite the intense campaign."
5 Key Takeaways From Marques Mendes Visit in Madeira
Based on what Luís Marques Mendes said during his Madeira visit and his public campaign statements, the five key points he is has emphasized during his visit in Madeira:
Regular Engagement with Autonomous Regions – He plans to meet Madeira and Azores leaders several times a year to stay informed about local challenges and support dialogue with the central government.
Defending Democratic Institutions – He presents the Presidency as a guardian of the Constitution and democratic rules, ensuring institutions function properly and independently of political pressure.
Promoting Calm and Respectful Politics – He criticizes personal attacks and emphasizes that the President should lower political tension and focus on ideas instead of personal disputes.
Transparency and Credibility – He highlights openness about his professional past and financial matters, aiming to show that a President should be lawful, transparent, and trustworthy.
Active Presence and Citizen Connection – He argues that the President should stay close to citizens and regions, not only during campaigns but consistently throughout the term, showing attention and responsibility.
Care for a share?
Comments