Major Carlos Eduardo Mendes
48 years old · Oeiras (near Lisbon military facilities)
Army Major, staff position
Persona: Military/Security Professional
Major Carlos Eduardo Mendes
Quick Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Carlos Eduardo Mendes |
| Age | 48 |
| Gender | Male |
| Location | Oeiras (near Lisbon military facilities) |
| Occupation | Army Major, staff position |
| Education | Military Academy + Advanced courses |
| Housing | Owns apartment (military housing benefit helped) |
| Family | Married to Teresa (45, administrative assistant), two sons (18, 16) |
| Voter Status | Portuguese citizen - can vote |
Background Narrative
Carlos joined the Army at 18 because he believed in service and because university wasn't an option financially. Thirty years later, he's a Major with two missions abroad (Kosovo, Afghanistan) and a desk job he didn't imagine when he was young and idealistic.
He's watched the Portuguese military shrink—underfunded, under-equipped, struggling to recruit. Young people don't want to serve; the pay is poor, the prestige is gone. NATO allies pressure Portugal on the 2% spending target, but governments find excuses.
Carlos isn't political—the military tradition is neutrality—but he votes like any citizen. He respects order, hierarchy, competence. He's wary of Ventura's bluster (military people distrust performance over substance) but attracted to Gouveia e Melo, who proved what competent leadership looks like.
His sons face the same choice he did. The older one wants to study engineering—Carlos will sacrifice to make that possible. The younger is considering military, and Carlos isn't sure whether to encourage or discourage him.
Economic Situation
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income level | Middle (€2,200/month + benefits) |
| Income source | Military salary |
| Financial stress | Low-Moderate |
| Housing cost burden | 20% |
| Economic trajectory | Stable; retirement approaching |
Values Profile (Schwartz Framework)
| Dimension | Rating | Expression |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Transcendence | 3 | Service ethic; but institution first |
| Self-Enhancement | 3 | Earned rank through merit |
| Openness to Change | 2 | Values stability, order |
| Conservation | 5 | Security, hierarchy, tradition paramount |
Top 3 values: Security, Conformity (duty), Achievement
Political Profile
- Historical voting: PSD traditionally, considered IL
- 2026 inclination: Gouveia e Melo (strong) - respects his competence
- Key concerns: Defense funding, institutional respect, national security
"In Their Own Voice"
"The military serves Portugal regardless of government. That's our duty. But it's hard to serve when you're underfunded and ignored. We're not asking for glory—just the tools to do our job. Gouveia e Melo understands this. He's one of us, but more importantly, he's competent."
Scenario Predictions
| Candidate | Response |
|---|---|
| Ventura | Mixed—respects "strong" rhetoric, distrusts bombast |
| Gouveia e Melo | Strongly Positive—competent, military, proven |
| Marques Mendes | Positive—stable, respects institutions |
| Others | Neutral to negative—don't understand defense |