The December 1st celebrations are marked by the announcement of the Minister of Defense, who, representing the Executive, spoke about investment in the Armed Forces, and by the confessions of Ribeiro e Castro, who admitted embarrassment at having voted for the AD.
At President Marcelo’s last Independence ceremony, it was the president of the Historical Society of the Independence of Portugal who made history. Ribeiro e Castro did not hide his hurt at the disinvestment of political power in the institution he presides over and, in addition to criticizing the prime minister’s absence from the December 1st celebrations, he confided that he felt guilty for having voted for the AD.
A hurt that the Minister of Defense, who represented the Government, and who comes from the same political party as Ribeiro e Castro, ignored.
After exalting the patriotism and the opportunity for freedom expressed by the conspirators, Nuno Melo took advantage of the speech to praise the role of the Armed Forces and announce a Government decision that involves them.
The Mayor of Lisbon highlighted the importance of common sense in politics and proximity to voters, and then praised the President of the Republic.
The proximity that marked Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s mandates led him to end the celebration by meeting protesters who held signs. But, when he realized what he was going to do, he turned around, went to the vehicle that was waiting for him and… left.
