The president of the republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said in Amarante today that the country “still has to expect a lot from the contribution” of former prime minister Pedro Passos Coelho.
“Being so young [Pedro Passos Coelho]the country can expect must expect a lot from its contribution in the future, I have no doubts about that,” he told journalists, noting that the “resistance” of the former head of government during the period of the Troika came from within and without is recognized in Portugal.
“The country, in a very difficult period of crisis in the troika, owes to Prime Minister Passos Coelho a resistance, which I could only hear two days ago praised through the mouth of the then Chancellor Angel Merkel. That is why it is inside and there recognized outside, it’s a fact,” added Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The statements of the President of the Republic took place on the sidelines of the ceremony that marked the beginning of the centenary commemorations of Agustina Bessa Luís, who attended the former Prime Minister.
In his speech, the head of state addressed “Mr. Premier, Pedro Passos Coelho”, who sat in the front row of the dozens of people who watched the moment.
“Remember how much Portugal owes you in the past and how much Portugal certainly owes you much more in the future,” he said.
Pedro Passos Coelho, age 58, chairman of the PSD for eight years (2010-2018), was Prime Minister from 2011 to 2015, during the years of Troika intervention.
He has since withdrawn from active politics, as his public interventions have been rare.
Source: DN
