Francisco Gomes clarifies academic credentials following Harvard controversy

Francisco Gomes, a deputy for the Chega party in the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic, has faced scrutiny regarding the description of his academic credentials. Reports indicated that while Gomes registered himself as having a degree in Political Science from the universities of Denison and Harvard, he only completed two courses at Harvard through a summer school program.

Gomes responded by stating that the phrasing used in official profiles “may allow” for incorrect interpretations, though he denied any intention to inflate his qualifications. He clarified that his degree was conferred by Denison University in the United States, and that the credits earned during his summer programs at Harvard were subsequently recognized by Denison to complete his studies.

While the controversy centers on the Harvard distinction, other academic credentials held by Gomes, including a master's degree from the University of Oxford and a doctorate from the University of Cádiz, have been confirmed by the respective institutions.