Portugal needs to be rebuilt, according to Marcelo.
Fresh Take:
Fire up the revitalization of Portugal! That was the rallying cry from the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, during his last speech on June 10, 2025 - a day marking Portugal Day, Camoães Day, and Portuguese Communities Day. This passionate plea comes half a century after Portugal's triumph over dictatorship and its glory-filled journey towards democracy.
In his traction-packed 10-minute monologue, Marcelo didn't shy away from delving into the past, but he had a crucial message for the future. He argued, "Remembering the past means recreating it too. We owe it to ourselves to better, to surpass, to take better care of our people, so they want to be a part of this homeland made up of a mainland and a couple of archipelagos."
According to him, it is essential to give more than just the basics - invest, innovate, produce, and export, but most importantly, provide for the people.
"We have to take care of those left behind or being left behind," he continued empathetically. He shared a sobering statistic: between 2 to 3 million people in Portugal have been struggling for a long time. He didn't sugarcoat it; he slammed the lingering poverty in the country.
Marcelo also extended his concern towards Portuguese emigrants, calling them daily builders of Portugal all around the world. "We must nurture our kinship with Portuguese-speaking nations and bolster our dedication to a united, open Europe that upholds human values," he said.
The President concluded his speech with a heartfelt tribute to the military and the revered ex-head of state, General Ramalho Eanes. He also mentioned that once he steps down, he won't intervene politically but will be present at all official events as a former head of state.
Enrichment Insights:- Marcelo's speech aimed to revitalize Portugal, focusing on education, economy, and social welfare.- He addressed the issue of emigration, emphasizing on fostering a strong connection with Portuguese diaspora.- He highlighted the need to combat poverty and ensure social care for the vulnerable citizens.- His diverse ancestry roots were a testament to Portugal's rich cultural heritage, promoting inclusivity and unity as pillars for the nation's growth.
- The Algarve region, known for its picturesque landscapes, is expected to witness a boost in economic development as part of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's policy-and-legislation focus to revitalize Portugal.
- Amidst the general-news coverage of President Marcelo's speech, there was a strong emphasis on social welfare and poverty reduction, with Marcelo expressing concern over the 2 to 3 million struggling citizens in Portugal.
- According to the President's speech, news about Portugal's future involves not only changes in policy-and-legislation and politics but also strengthening ties with Portuguese-speaking nations and Europe, a commitment that extends beyond borders to the emigrants playing a crucial role as daily builders of Portugal.
