Marta Temido, the Socialist Party (PS) lead candidate for the European Parliament, denied that the party's results in the early regional legislative elections in Madeira put "pressure" on a victory in the June electoral act, highlighting that "they are distinct elections" and that this will be, "perhaps, the most important European election of our lives."

"It is not a question of pressure to give the first victory to PS. It is really a question of making it very clear what the intrinsic value of these elections is," began by highlighting the socialist, in a campaign action in Cruz de Pau, Seixal municipality.

"We have said it, but I will repeat it again, this is, perhaps, the most important European election, it may be one of the most important elections of our lives due to the context of war on European territory, due to the context that we are risking to run everything that is a European dream of peace and shared prosperity going backwards due to extremist forces," she highlighted.

Previously, Marta Temido had highlighted that these "are distinct elections." "All elections have their own value and must be read in their own context. I believe that, at this moment, the people of Madeira have spoken out, that is the most relevant thing. Now, the next step is to find conditions of governability to be able to give the best possible stability to Madeira," she considered. 

Asked about whether the street will go better than the debates, the socialist joked with what she described as a "tricky question," but highlighted her ability to "deal" with people.

"We think that the debates went in crescendo and have not ended yet," she said. "Naturally, everyone has greater ease in what they have more training in. I have more training in dealing with people," she stressed.

For Temido, "the test is the test of the election." And we are prepared for it," she assured, also highlighting that she has noticed a "progressive interest" in the European elections.

The candidate for the European Parliament refused, however, to speak about objectives with regard to the number of MEPs.

"It is to win. But, you already know me and you know that I will not say how many deputies there are, because that would be putting myself completely out of the running," she said. "That is in the hands of the Portuguese," she added.

It should be recalled that PSD won the regional elections in Madeira yesterday, but without a majority. PS and JPP follow, the third political force in the region. It should be noted that the Left Bloc (BE) and CDU no longer have representation in the Legislative Assembly.

The official campaign for the European elections begins today with most of the parties concentrated in Lisbon, with the exception of AD, PS and Chega, who will dedicate the day to districts south of the Tagus.

Around 373 million European voters will be called to vote in the elections for the European Parliament between June 6 and 9, with the Portuguese going to the polls on the 9th.

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