LISBON, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Former Portuguese Socialist Party chairwoman Maria de Belem officially announced on Tuesday she is running for presidential election scheduled in January next year, declaring herself as "a presidential candidate for the people."
"I will run to win," said Belem in an announcement at Belem Cultural Center in capital Lisbon.
In her speech, Belem assured that her decision to run was "deeply thought through." "It was a decision taken with full autonomy and independent of the interests of the political moment or partisan agendas."
"Portugal needs a president who can be independent, learn to interpret the will of the people and give voice to the most vulnerable people in our society," she said.
Belem hopes that her personal and political contributions can help to improve the quality of life in Portugal.
Belem, 66, is former health minister. She was also chairwoman of the Socialist Party between 2011 and 2014.
