A source linked to Gouveia e Melo’s candidacy told DN that the invitation to the debates was accepted, in the model proposed by free-to-air television channels, but that the candidate made it clear that he could not accept an exclusivity condition. The information that this was a requirement from RTP, SIC and TVI was provided this Tuesday, October 28th, by Diário de Notícias.
“Obviously, as a matter of common sense, two debates will not be held on the same day, for example, but conditions like the one mentioned above cannot be acceptedwhich would force you to spend more than a month without being able to participate in debates promoted by other television channels”, said the same source, who asked not to be identified.
In total, in the preliminary calendar that was sent to the eight applications, which is not yet the final version of the document, 28 debates are planned, of which 12 will take place on RTP 1, eight on SIC and the same number on TVIall at the same time (9pm), but changes may occur due to football matches taking place on those days.
The elections presidential elections are scheduled for January 18, with the start of the electoral campaign scheduled for the 4th of this month.
In the last legislative elections, held on May 18th, the three generalist television channels and their “sisters” on cable (RTP3, SIC Notícias and CNN Portugal) broadcast a total of 28 debates between April 7th and 28th.