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Resultados das Eleições Presidenciais
Presidential Elections' Results
DN, Lumiar
This morning, millions of citizens of the Lusitanian Republic went to the ballots to participate in the first election of a head of state in Lusitanian history. At the final stage of the Kingdom-Republic transition, the citizens elected their first President. At 7 pm, polls closed, and counting ended 11 pm. The victor was announced to be General Augusto Lopes. General Lopes won by a narrow margin, getting 52% of the electors’ preferences.
Augusto José da Câmara Lopes was born in February 28, 1940 in Lumiar. Completing military academy in 1965, he rapidly progressed in the military hierarchy, with his competence being widely noted and rewarded. He participated in several internal military operations during the Upheaval of 1968. In 2000, he was promoted to General. It was in 2001 that his political career began. In March that year, a serious threat to the Integralist regime arose in Beja, with a violent uprising. He was sent there with order to violently put down the rebellion, but General Lopes refused. Although he was not demoted, he was excluded from further military operations and remained a mainly administrative figure. In 2005 he started to regularly meet Francisco Sá-Carneiro and to mount a non-communist resistance movement. When Fernandes died in 2008 and Dinis Brito ascended to power, he accelerated his activities, and used his contacts within the Royal Army to successful coordinate the Revolution. Through his actions, the Royal Army was able to take control of a wide range of territory and neutralize Integralist forces. He remained a military commander during the short Civil War. He is recognized by his trademark monocle and his austere but ‘nice’, personality.
The results were as it follows:
- Augusto Lopes – 51,6%
- José Brandão – 40,3%
- Álvaro Pinto – 8,4%
- Blank Votes – 0,7%
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General Augusto Lopes, the first President of the Lusitanian Republic
Participation was very high, averaging 79% of the electorate. General Lopes issued a small statement:
“I am very happy with this victory. I hope that his can mean a greater stability to Lusitania and the guarantee of the constitutional order. I shall fight for what I said during the campaign – my ultimate goal: the reunification of Lusitania.”
José Brandão congratulated his opponent: “I have to send my felicitations to my opponent General Lopes, who, democratically legitimated, won these elections in the first round. May his presidency be full of joys.”
Álvaro Pinto refused to comment, while Fernando Ferro, the candidate that withdrew, showed satisfaction. Whether Lopes’ victory is in part due to Ferro’s withdrawal is an issue that divides analysts.
Sunday, King Carlos III will officially surrender power to General Lopes and the Republic will be formally born, as General Lopes is inaugurated.