Gouveia e Melo criticizes Luís Montenegro's 'irresponsibility'

Presidential candidate Gouveia e Melo is "incredulous and shocked by the stance of some political leaders," accusing them of being "oblivious to the terror experienced by the population," maintaining "their agendas, "in a bubble of cold cynicism in the face of suffering."

In a social media post hours after Luís Montenegro gave his usual speech at Pontal, in the Algarve, the presidential candidate highlighted that "there are those who toast to their holidays and take smiling photos at summer political events", arguing that a "true leader, even without being able to do more, stands with his people".

"If they cannot prevent or remedy, it is expected, at the very least, that they are present, alongside the people, in their suffering," in what seemed to be an allusion to the fires that have recently devastated the north and center of the country.

"We can't talk about the fires now because it's a political profit," says Gouveia e Melo. "Only after the fight is over can we discuss them," says the soldier, who considers this stance a way for active politicians to diminish "their responsibilities." "If this is politics, I'm very lucky not to have been involved in it" – but he intends to do so now, despite recent polls lowering expectations for his candidacy.