Fernando reads the morning news with something approaching satisfaction—a rare feeling about Portuguese politics. Cotrim's latest speech about competitiveness, deregulation, the "entrepreneurial spirit"—finally, someone in Belém who speaks his language.
The factory hums efficiently. Orders from northern Europe continue strong; the digital portal for exports actually works now; the bureaucratic reforms the president championed have made some difference. Not transformation, but improvement. Fernando has learned to appreciate improvement.
His German partners visited last month. "Portugal is interesting," Klaus said. Not as enthusiastic as Estonia or Ireland, but "interesting." The investment climate has warmed. The president who appears at Davos talking about competitiveness helps. Perception matters in business.
Morning meetings review the quarter's numbers. Revenue up 8%; margin slightly improved; new machinery financed through the EU-backed program Cotrim promoted. The factory has hired three new workers—skilled positions, proper contracts, the employment Fernando believes in creating. This is liberal economics done right, he tells himself.
Lunch conversation with other business owners is different from the old days. Pedro, the ceramics exporter, is optimistic—first time in years. "Someone actually understands business," he says. The complaints haven't disappeared—labor costs, energy prices, endless Portuguese bureaucracy—but the direction feels right.
The afternoon brings a complication. The union representative raises concerns about the proposed flexibility measures—easier firing, more temporary contracts. "The president supports this," the rep says, "and workers will suffer." Fernando believes flexibility creates jobs; the union believes it creates precarity. This tension hasn't resolved.
His son Ricardo returned from Belgium two years ago—the tax incentives for returning emigrants actually worked in his case. He earns less than Brussels but enjoys Lisbon; the tech scene is growing; the "Portuguese lifestyle" has value. Fernando counts this as victory, personal and national.
Dinner brings reflection on the presidency. Cotrim hasn't solved housing—market solutions work slowly, if at all. Healthcare still struggles—public investment isn't the liberal focus. Inequality may be growing—the rising tide doesn't lift all boats equally. Fernando knows these critiques. He thinks the alternative—more regulation, more taxes, more state—would be worse.
The evening news shows Cotrim at a tech summit, announcing investment attraction, celebrating job creation. Fernando feels represented. After decades of presidents who seemed suspicious of business, here's one who gets it. Whether "getting it" is enough for Portugal's problems—different question.
Before bed, Fernando reviews the business plan for expansion. Risk-taking requires confidence; confidence requires predictability; predictability requires governance that doesn't threaten at every turn. This presidency provides that, at least. It's not utopia. It's progress.
He'll take progress.