Lisbon, Dec. 26, 2025 (Lusa) - The prime minister argued that Portugal is at a turning point where it must replace its “let’s just go with the flow” mentality with one of overcoming adversity, citing footballer Cristiano Ronaldo as an example of the spirit of striving for excellence.
In his second Christmas message as head of the PSD/CDS-PP executive on the evening of Christmas Day, Luís Montenegro expressed his conviction that there will be no early elections until 2029 and called on everyone to focus on the country's interests until the end of the legislative term.
"We don't all have to agree, but we have to understand that it is not our individual position that is most important (...) Now that we are going to have about three and a half years without national elections, it is time for us all to focus on fulfilling our responsibility and doing everything to ensure a more prosperous future for Portugal and every Portuguese citizen," he warned.
The Prime Minister highlighted the economic results of recent years, considering that they give more reasons to believe that the country is "on the right track".
"Portugal is now a reference at European and global level. The incomes of the Portuguese are rising and our economy is growing consistently above the European average," he said, once again highlighting Portugal's recent distinction by The Economist magazine.
The prime minister considered that, given the current situation of economic growth and financial stability, there are two options.
"Either we are content with this situation in which we are doing well, but we know that if we remain like this in the medium term, we will lose out to the progress of others," he pointed out.
The alternative, he considered, is for the country to take advantage of the current economic and financial situation and "take steps now to ensure" that it will continue "to grow more than others in the future".
"It's the difference between playing for a draw or having the winning mentality of always playing to win. And I want to tell you that my choice and that of the Government is clearly the second," he said.
The head of the Government warned that "this path requires political courage and reformist capacity," saying that only this path will allow for greater efficiency and productivity and achieve "new levels of income" and "new salary ambitions."
"We are at a historic moment where we have to let go of the let's just go with the flow mentality and acquire and work on the mentality of overcoming. The mentality of going further and asserting ourselves through excellence," he said.
"The mentality of Cristiano Ronaldo," he summarised, warning that "things don't fall from the sky" and this path "requires courage, resilience, the ability to dialogue and a sense of national unity".
The prime minister considered that, this Christmas, "the best gift (...) is to believe more in Portugal", wishing everyone "a holy Christmas, wherever you are".
"A Christmas with pride in being Portuguese and hope in Portugal," he asked.
In the message transmitted on the evening of Christmas Day, Luís Montenegro also had a special word for "those who are alone or who are going through difficult times".
"We have not forgotten the elderly who live in solitude, those who are victims of violence, often within their own homes, those who suffer from health problems, those who live in poverty.To all of you, I want to assure you that you are not forgotten and that we are working every day to give you an opportunity to get out of this situation," he said.
The Prime Minister also gave a special mention to those who have to work during the festive season, such as "health professionals, transport workers, firefighters, police forces, military personnel, journalists and all those who contribute with their work during these days".
"I would also like to remember the families of those who are experiencing so many wars, such as in Africa, the Middle East or Ukraine, and all the attacks on human rights that we feel are attacks on all of us," he added.
According to the head of government, "the Portuguese family, as a country and a nation, has reason to come together and look to the future with hope."
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Lusa
