Businessman, with a degree in Aeronautical Management (ISEC) and affiliated with the Liberal Initiative (IL)
Political analysis is often an exercise in strategic reflection, aligning the principles and values of a party project with the needs of the country. The recent comment by President Rui Rocha of the Liberal Initiative regarding the possible presidential candidacy of Henrique Gouveia e Melo in 2026 reflects this vision. The IL, a defender of a solid and progress-oriented Liberalism, considers that a profile like that of Gouveia e Melo—a military man whose prominence emerged in the context of vaccination during the pandemic—does not correspond to the model of political transformation that the country urgently needs.
Although the Vice-Admiral played a crucial role during the pandemic, it is important to remember that this period was marked by measures that, while justified by the “common good,” resulted in the significant limitation of individual freedoms: students deprived of in-person education, elderly people separated from their families, and the ruin of small businesses that form the basis of our economy. These sacrifices, while necessary in the context of a health crisis, do not align with the principles of a Liberalism that prioritizes individual freedom and the creation of conditions for sustainable economic growth.
The Liberal Initiative (IL) argues that the future President of the Republic should be someone who fully embodies the values of Liberalism and is prepared to lead a structural political transformation. The party will continue to work focusing on identifying and promoting a candidate aligned with this vision.
Regarding the current wave of strikes, which have paralyzed crucial sectors of Portuguese society, it is evident that these actions reflect an accumulation of structural problems in recent decades. However, the solution does not lie exclusively in short-term concessions, but in creating an environment that prioritizes merit, productivity, and wealth creation. The right to strike, while legitimate, cannot ignore the disproportionate impact it has on other citizens, especially the most vulnerable, who depend on essential services such as health, education, and transportation.
Responsible governance demands courageous and well-founded decisions based on policies that promote economic growth and individual well-being. As long as Portugal does not adopt an approach that values talent, work, and individual freedom as pillars of development, we will be condemned to perpetuate an unjust system incapable of providing equal opportunities.
The Liberal Initiative reaffirms its commitment to a political strategy that prioritizes wealth creation and merit, the only way to transform Portugal into a freer, more prosperous, and fairer country.
