Since it became clear that Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Chief of Staff of the Navy (due to ‘retire’ on December 27) could be thinking of standing in Portugal’s 2026 presidential elections, all kinds of obstacles have been put in his way – mostly by political forces that do not approve of his plans. But now even media outlets appear to be jumping on the critical bandwagon: the latest being weekly popular magazine ‘Tal&Qual’ which suggests the Admiral is part of the country’s masonic brotherhood. Gouveia e Melo has come out with a note published on the Navy’s website to say not only that the entire story is “absolutely false”, but that it is very disappointing to see a nation’s media constantly ‘copy-pasting’ without any diligence, or even integrity, in discovering the truth.
Navy’s Chief of Staff under ‘attacks from all sides’
Henrique Gouveia e Melo became a household name in Portugal - a symbol of 'how to get things done' during the Covid pandemic. He managed to persuade millions to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated - and even those that didn't see him as a man with infinite abilities to lead
