"In a democracy, the confrontation of ideas and projects for the country is healthy and desirable," the president said in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday night. "For that very reason, the struggle between parties must not lead to senseless tensions or verbal aggression."


He stressed that it was up to the parties themselves to ensure that the campaign goes ahead with "serenity and with elevation" rather than becoming "a stage for aggressions that do nothing to resolve real problems." Given the country's current situation it is, he argued, "essential to preserve bridges of dialogue between party forces and the various political actors."


The president concluded with a call for all voters to exercise their right to express their democratic opinion.