The coins say that the political class “should set an example of devotion to the common good.”

The mayor of Lisbon considered this Thursday that December 1 taught that “the political class should set an example of devotion to the common good” without being able to withdraw “into itself” or consider itself “immune to criticism.”

Carlos Moedas spoke this morning at the December 1 celebration ceremony at the Restoradores Square in Lisbon, which was attended by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the President of the Assembly of the Republic, Augusto Santos. Silva and Minister of National Defense Elena Carreiras.

“There have been several times when this irresponsibility has been prevalent in our long history. Several times we have known that momentary interests take precedence over national interests. That is why December 1 is so important today,” he defended.

According to the Lisbon president, the “great lesson” of Portugal’s independence day is that “the political class must set an example of devotion to the common good and leadership.”

“Lead by example by defending institutions with vision and ambition. Lead by example by listening to everyone,” he defended.

For Carlos Moedas, one must “set an example in everyday life, close to the people, as our President of the Republic does so well and in such a unique way.”

“The political class cannot withdraw into itself or consider itself immune to criticism. He must listen even to those with whom he disagrees. He must listen to everyone,” he said.

The mayor of the SDP felt that “this alleged immunity will only end up discrediting the institutions.”

“And in a modern democracy, where we are all equal, we cannot get into a state where some are more equal than others,” he urged.

The coins emphasized that “if a weak king makes strong people weak, then a strong king helps these strong people stay strong.”

Regarding the significance of this date, the mayor of Lisbon considered that it “signifies the restoration of national freedom”, while at the same time committing the Portuguese to “restore the willpower to build the future”.

“We are not being asked to perform a grand feat, as was done by a group of brave Portuguese who returned independence to the country 382 years ago, but we are required to have a strategy for the future,” he said.

After the ceremony, the delegation went on foot to the Palace of Independence to visit the exhibition “Diario de Noticias and Memorable Dates on December 1 (from the end of the monarchy to the First Republic)”, in the final, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa signed the book of honor and made a short visit to the objects, and then left without making any statements to reporters.