Presidential elections: Cotrim offers to be a candidate but emphasizes that the decision has not been made

MEP João Cotrim Figueiredo said today that he is available to be a presidential candidate, but stressed that the decision “has not been made” and depends on the support of entities other than IL, which he did not specify.

Speaking to journalists at the pavilion where the 10th IL National Convention is taking place in Alcobaça, Cotrim Figueiredo was asked whether he intends to run for President of the Republic, after having said in a speech that he is available for “all battles” and having heard calls for him to go ahead with a run for Belém.

"I haven't made the decision to run. I've made the decision to be available, and now I'm making contacts that weren't possible before, which will allow me to reach a final decision soon," replied the IL leader from 2019 to 2023.

When asked what will influence his decision on whether or not to run for president, Cotrim Figueiredo replied: "Without wanting to reveal too much, my idea is not to run a campaign that's too similar to others that have come before."

“This requires the availability of other entities to take this path with me,” he stressed.

When asked if it would be enough for the next IL leader, Mariana Leitão, to say that the party will support her candidacy to decide to move forward, Cotrim Figueiredo replied: "No, I assume that this support will be natural."

"That's not what I depend on, it's on other contacts and other availabilities that I depend on," he stated, adding that he had already spoken with Mariana Leitão about the matter and, when asked if he was challenged by the future IL leader who decided to express her availability, he said it was "something simultaneous."

Regarding whether a possible presidential candidacy does not show an IL dependent on his figure, Cotrim Figueiredo responded that he is certain “that there will be people who will read it that way.”

"I would also like there to be alternatives that could ensure the same type of electoral results, but I can say, without false modesty, that at this time there are none," he said.