In a televised debate on RTP, Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos and PCP Secretary-General Paulo Raimundo clashed, with Santos calling for tactical voting and criticizing the CDU’s proposals as unrealistic. Raimundo, in turn, condemned the opponent’s “insufficient” program, arguing that the Socialist Party (PS) squandered its time in governance.
When questioned about the potential for collaboration between communists and socialists, Pedro Nuno Santos highlighted what he termed the PCP’s “historical error” of equating the PS with the AD coalition. Raimundo dismissed this as “cliché” but argued that the PS, by approving the State Budget for 2025, provided stability for the country.
Raimundo, responding to the same inquiry, stated that there is room for an agreement with the socialists if the PS changes its current direction and focuses on areas such as career advancement for shift workers, addressing the housing crisis, and strengthening the national health system (SNS).
“If this is the path, count us in. If it’s just to stay the course with slight variations, it’s not worth it,” Raimundo added.
The issue of tactical voting resurfaced during the debate, with the Socialist leader reiterating the necessity to consolidate votes to secure election victory and succeed the AD in government.
During the debate, Pedro Nuno Santos argued that political courage lies “in pushing the limits of what is possible,” asserting this approach for the PS and criticizing the communists’ proposals as appealing in theory but impractical.
“Either there’s an option that serves the minority or one that serves the majority. It’s important to address this. From this perspective, I must emphasize that the PS’s program is somewhat insubstantial, and even the talk of a wage boost resembles a ‘salary sneeze,'” Raimundo countered.
On the healthcare front, Pedro Nuno Santos accused Luís Montenegro and his policies of significant failures, arguing that the health situation has deteriorated since the AD took office, with a disconnect between the promises and achievements of the governing parties.
Paulo Raimundo acknowledged the complexity of resolving the issue “overnight” but criticized the closure of 19 emergency rooms over the weekend. He also held the PS accountable, stating they had the chance to address part of the problem during their government term but “lost time.”
Immigration was also a topic of discussion. The Socialist leader stressed that the party’s principles and values remain unchanged under his leadership, advocating for “regulated and humane” immigration adapted to current realities.
Raimundo argued that the “country’s economy would not function without immigrants,” stressing the necessity for newcomers to have their statuses regularized. He called for equipping the AIMA with the necessary resources and “creating conditions for those seeking a better life in Portugal.”
Pedro Nuno Santos also responded to the preventative inquiry opened by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, saying he had not been contacted yet and insisting the anonymous complaint was “politically motivated.”
On the day of Pope Francis’s death, the debate commenced with Pedro Nuno Santos recalling the Pope as a “good and generous man” who conveyed a “message of love for others,” while Paulo Raimundo lamented the loss as a “sad day for those committed to fighting injustices and inequalities.”
