Mendes launches "Generation 26" to attract young voters

Marques Mendes is targeting an electorate where he would initially have the most difficulty asserting himself: young people. This Monday, the presidential candidate is launching a youth movement to support his candidacy, called Generation 26. The movement has identified 10 key causes it considers a priority for the country, which were developed by 10 of the 100 young people who have already signed up to the movement.

The topics chosen by the young people are: housing; artificial intelligence; the climate agenda; gender equality; representation in democracy; emigration, employment, and wages; child protection; education and culture; sovereignty and Europe; and mental health and sports. Most of the proposed measures involve organizing forums, summits, and debates to discuss the issues in each area, under the high patronage of the (future) Presidency of the Republic.

To launch this movement, Luís Marques Mendes is counting on his sports representative, Miguel Oliveira, but the idea is to wink at the young electorate. "I deliberately chose Miguel Oliveira because more than just a driver, he's an example for young people , an example of ambition , hope, and national pride," says the PSD-backed presidential candidate.

The movement's launch will be in Almada (this Tuesday, at 6:00 p.m.) precisely because it is Miguel Oliveira's hometown. The movement is starting with 100 signatories, but the goal is for this number to grow from the moment the movement is launched. Other young people are supporting Marques Mendes, such as João Perestrello, president of SEDES Jovem and son of socialist Marcos Perestrello .

In a contested, single-constituency election, the youth vote could gain greater influence. The potential Liberal Initiative candidate, João Cotrim Figueiredo, cited as one of his reasons for entering the race the fact that he believes the youth vote is orphaned. "[The already-established candidates] don't inspire, they don't mobilize for a common goal. No one is enthusiastic about voting for any of them, especially the segment of the electorate that should be most mobilized to help the country emerge from this stagnation: the young ." While Cotrim hasn't entered the race, Mendes is already beginning to try to attract the youth vote.