“No one has to be afraid of the Portuguese vote, because that is being afraid of democracy. One thing is our opinion and our vote, another thing is to admit diversity and the vote of all Portuguese people”, said the head of state, after having voted for Molares, Celorico de Basto, in the district of Braga.

Speaking to journalists, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa continued: “Whatever the Portuguese vote is. It is on the basis of this vote that a future will really be determined, which is very important to get out of the pandemic”.

The President recalled that the new Government will be responsible for “accelerating economic growth and the use of European funds”.

Asked if he regretted having dissolved parliament, he replied: "What's done is done, we have to look to the future."

“Now it is necessary to look at the fundamental thing, which is for the Portuguese to vote and apparently the numbers are better than those of 2019. Voting, because it is a proof of life, a proof of vitality, a proof of democracy and proof that want to express their voice”.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stressed that voters “must express their voice and have many choices”.

“One of the riches of our system is that it really offers so many alternative hypotheses and [the Portuguese] should take advantage of them,” he noted.

Regarding the different government scenarios that may emerge from these elections, Marcelo said he did not intend to “enter into speculation”.