Former President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa once again spoke publicly about Portugal and the Portuguese, this time with words of praise. During an intervention in Aveiro, Marcelo stated that Portuguese citizens convey safety and trust, two characteristics that, in his view, help distinguish the country. The former President also highlighted the capacity for relationships as another quality he associates with national citizens.
Marcelo's statements correspond to his personal assessment, based on experience accumulated over decades of political and institutional life, and not the conclusion of any statistical study. The former head of state knows Portuguese reality well after having held the Presidency of the Republic for two consecutive terms, between 2016 and 2026.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was first elected in January 2016, taking office on March 9 of that year. In 2021, he was re-elected for a second term, completing a decade at Belém. He is identified as the 20th President of the Portuguese Republic. Before reaching the Presidency, he was a university professor, journalist, political commentator, deputy, minister, and president of the PSD.
Although he no longer holds office as President of the Republic, Marcelo has continued to participate in public initiatives and debates, showing that he maintains interest in speaking about the country and about how he views the Portuguese people.
