Aguiar-Branco warns that ‘democracy is incredibly fragile’ and needs to be ‘taken care of’

The President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, who walked along the Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon this Thursday, warned that “democracy is extremely fragile” and must be “taken care of” through civic measures. participation .

The second figure in the government hierarchy spoke to reporters at the traditional April 25 parade, which today marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, in an unprecedented presence as it is the first time the President of Parliament has represented the institute this year. folk holiday.

“Democracy is incredibly fragile and that is why we must take care of it every day. It is up to us, only us, to build a stronger and stronger democracy. And this is the message we have to send: no one will do for us what we cannot do,” defended José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.

With a carnation on his lapel, the President of Parliament felt it necessary for citizens to feel “that participation is a requirement of democracy.”

“But this requires work, it requires participation, this is constant construction,” he emphasized.

Asked about his presence in the popular parade, which was attended by thousands of citizens on Avenida da Liberdade, the President of the Assembly of the Republic and former Social Democratic minister stressed that it was a “popular demonstration.”

“It makes sense to hold ceremonies in the Assembly of the Republic, elected by the people, but it also makes sense to make a symbolic gesture of rapprochement between elected officials and voters, which is a true democratic affirmation. so the celebration takes place in the street, and I think it makes sense to be here with the people as the President of the Assembly of the Republic,” he said.

Aguiar-Branco insisted on the importance of bringing voters and elected officials together, showing citizens the work being done in parliament, which includes “measures that impact people’s lives,” as well as some “more entertaining” debates.

Asked whether it had been difficult to maintain civility in parliamentary proceedings since he was elected in late March, Aguiar-Branco said it had not been and that democratic debate had “proceeded with elegance.”

“Everything that is said in the Assembly in terms of the expression of freedom of opinion, we must applaud. The House of Democracy is an excellent space for freedom of expression. The content of what each person says, as long as politeness is maintained, is preserved, I think this should be accepted. This is what is expected from democracy, this is the freedom of every person to speak, even if he may say something against his freedom. This is what distinguishes democracy from dictatorship,” he said. out.

A few moments later, Aguiar-Branco met with the President of the April 25 Association, Colonel Vasco Lourenço, with whom he exchanged a few words and began the traditional descent from Avenida da Liberdade to Rossio.