JS advises voting on Ana Gomes, Marisa Matias or João Ferreira

The Socialist Youth (JS) recommended to its militants the support to the presidential candidates “on the left”, Ana Gomes, Marisa Matias or João Ferreira, proposing that they get involved in the respective campaigns.

The National Youth Commission of the PS, which met digitally on Saturday, decided to “recommend to its militants to analyze, support and get involved in the campaigns of the candidates on the left”.

“The political space of the left is, in these presidential elections, represented by the socialist Ana Gomes, the blocker Marisa Matias and the communist João Ferreira. The young socialists find in each of them a life path with proven evidence in the fight against inequality and inequality. social injustices “, argues JS, in a position taken by the leader, Miguel Costa Matos.

Recalling that at the end of last year the party gave its militants the freedom to vote in choosing the next President of the Republic, the structure that represents young socialists stresses that it wants to preserve “the space of freedom and citizenship that the PS has given its militants, not putting anyone in a position to support a leftist candidacy distinct from one supported by JS “.

JS also stresses the need for “a political analysis specific to the last presidential term, the challenges facing the country and the importance of voting on the left in these presidential elections”, arguing that the presidential elections of 24 January cannot be undervalued.

For young socialists, “this election is different from all others, comprising individual candidacies and putting into play not only government programs or parliamentary geometries, but a world view and a view of the democratic state and the way the Presidency can give voice to these causes and values ​​”.

Today, more than ever, the Portuguese people need a head of state who, as the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic dictates, represents the Portuguese Republic, guarantees national independence, the unity of the State and the regular functioning of democratic institutions. This is a fight that we have not deserted “, continues the note, which points out that” no electoral act is won in advance and no candidate should be above any scrutiny “.

This soialist structure presents “15 demands” for the development of the country and democracy, starting with the fight against “extreme right populism and its normalization”, the defense of the Constitution and the repudiation for “any constitutional revision that attacks against the fundamental “core of rights, freedoms and guarantees.

Among others, JS proposes that a young person aged 30 years, or years, with a recognized path be appointed to the Council of State, that the President of the Republic advocates “for ethics and rigor in political activity”, defends “the gratuity of teaching in all cycles and the National Health Service “, which adopts” as a cause for the legalization of the production and recreational consumption of cannabis “and, also, which fights” for political and social stability, valuing social dialogue and institutional cooperation “.

Presidential elections, which take place in the midst of the covid-19 epidemic in Portugal, are scheduled for January 24 and this is the 10th time that the Portuguese have been called to choose the President of the Republic in democracy, since 1976.

The election campaign runs from 10 to 22 January, with the country living under restrictive measures due to the epidemic. Seven candidates are running for election, Marisa Matias (supported by the Left Block), Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (PSD and CDS / PP) Tiago Mayan Gonçalves (Liberal Initiative), André Ventura (Arrives), Vitorino Silva, better known as Tino de Rans , João Ferreira (PCP and PEV) and PS activist Ana Gomes (PAN and Livre).