Good evening,

At the end of an election day that took place in such a specific, complex and difficult moment in our collective life, I would like to begin by highlighting the civic example of the thousands of members and workers at the Polling stations who, throughout the country, allowed the organization of this Electoral Act and ensured that it took place smoothly and under conditions that guaranteed the protection of everyone’s health. To all, special greetings and thanks.

I want to thank, in an appreciative and heartfelt manner, all those who over the past few months anonymously built this candidacy. Those who, in extremely difficult conditions, from North to South, from the coast to the interior and in the islands, individually and collectively committed themselves to clarifying and mobilizing to defend the values of this candidacy.

I would like to express my special thanks to the PCP - my Party - and the PEV, as well as to my national representative, Heloísa Apolónia, greeting in her person the hundreds of district and council representatives and representatives of the communities abroad who, with their functions, have added prestige to this candidacy.

Last but not least, I want to thank all democrats, all the citizens, who, from different and diverse political and party positions, have converged in their support and in voting for this candidacy.

I would like to extend these words to all those who, wishing to vote for this candidacy, were unable to do so because they could not leave their homes.

This candidacy ran with a clear purpose: based on the country’s situation, its difficulties and problems, the concerns and and the disquiet of millions of people, to assert a distinctive vision regarding the exercise of the powers of President of the Republic, and how they can and should be used to contribute to change the course of our national life, to confront and overcome these problems.

I am deeply convinced that this candidacy has made a unique contribution to these elections, which will endure beyond today. This contribution was to demonstrate, at this moment in our country’s life, the centrality and relevance of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic; the importance of its broad assertion of political, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights and the importance of the development project that it embodies, which are essential to materialize these rights and, in this way, to defend democracy.

The Constitution contains solutions and paths to solve the problems of the country and of our people. The requirement to comply with it will be a decisive issue in the next five years.

To value those who are essential in this country - the workers. To defend the National Health Service, public services, the social functions of the state. To value education and culture. To promote development in harmony with the environment and natural resources.

Our commitment has always been, at all times, to a serene debate of ideas and the options confronting the country and the people; to a path of development, progress and social justice.

To many of those who supported me, from different sectors and Parties that are not mine, without ignoring differences that will express themselves, I hope that we can continue together in fundamental battles, which may strengthen the roots of the democratic regime in Portuguese society.

We have arrived here even more determined and committed to defending democracy, democratic freedoms and rights. Even more determined to fight and defeat anti-democratic projects of confrontation with the Constitution of the Republic.

I have said it several times and so it will be: tomorrow we will be here! Fighting for the rights of all, every single day! Every vote given to this candidacy is already a foothold in this fight that will continue for a better life. With courage and confidence, we will open a horizon of hope in the life of this country.