Controversial claims ignite debate ahead of Portugal’s presidential election

A fiery political segment puts Portugal’s leadership under scrutiny. Could Cotrim de Figueiredo’s bold campaign reshape the race despite the polls?

, and Administrator

2025 November 6 . 9:09 AM

1 min read

In this picture, we see few people standing and few are seated on the chair and we see a man... — In this picture, we see few people standing and few are seated on the chair and we see a man standing at a podium and speaking with the help of a microphone and we see couple of posters to the stands and couple of flags on the back.

Controversial claims ignite debate ahead of Portugal’s presidential election

A new political analysis segment, 'Would You Care to Repeat That?', debuts on SIC Notícias, sparking debate around the upcoming Portuguese presidential election. José Miguel Júdice, campaign manager for Cotrim de Figueiredo, makes controversial statements, dismissing incumbent President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and predicting Cotrim's runoff presence despite polls.

The segment, hosted by Bernardo Ferrão, Ângela Silva, and Paulo Baldaia, dissects recent political news, offering reflection and debate. Júdice, Cotrim's national campaign manager, argues that Cotrim is the 'most qualified candidate' for the presidency, ranking him above Marques Mendes.

Júdice praises Cotrim's 'credibility, emotional resonance, and persuasive argumentation', believing he can bring 'real change' to Portugal. In contrast, Júdice criticizes Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, stating 'He was a failure.' This is a stark contrast to Rebelo de Sousa's significant re-election in January 2021 and his enactment of important legislation such as the new Foreigners' Law in 2025.

Júdice emphasizes the importance of a candidate's personal qualities in a presidential campaign, hoping for a president who isn't 'just a commentator' and doesn't 'meddle in everything'. Despite polls suggesting otherwise, Júdice confidently predicts Cotrim's runoff presence.

The new SIC Notícias segment, 'Would You Care to Repeat That?', has sparked controversy with Júdice's bold statements. As the presidential election approaches, Portugal awaits the impact of these claims and the potential of Cotrim de Figueiredo's candidacy.