The leaders of the PS, BE, PCP and IL praised this Thursday the massive civic participation in the people’s parade to mark the 50th anniversary of April 25, 1974 in Lisbon, despite differing views on the future of the country.
“This is a great sign, such a massive participation of the Portuguese people in this parade is unusual: the 50th anniversary of April 25 is celebrated with the strength and enthusiasm of those who do not want to go back, those who will stop.” and combat any social, economic or cultural setbacks. The people are here to defend the April values, our political democracy, as well as social and cultural values,” said Socialist Party Secretary General Pedro Nuno Santos.
The Socialist leader spoke to journalists at the people’s parade to mark the 50th anniversary of April 25, 1974, on Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon, where he joined several Socialist Youth activists, no longer donning the suit and tie he wore to the gala event. celebration ceremony in parliament, but with a carnation on the chest.
Pedro Nuno Santos expressed confidence that the PS will win the European elections in June and win legislative elections again – “and not for long” – despite the “turn to the right”, and stressed that citizens still “face many problems” in social condition, utilities or housing.
“But it is the PS and the left in general that are most ready to respond to these problems, they are not right-wing, they have never been right-wing. We govern for the majority of people, the right for the few,” he criticized.
Then, at the final stretch of the parade, as usual, the delegation of the Liberal Initiative joined the popular demonstration, and Rui Rocha recalled that his party had been participating at this moment since its founding, “even when they wanted to try not to.
The liberal welcomed the participation of citizens in the parade, considering it a “good sign.”
“April 25th is the defining date of freedom and that is why we see so many Portuguese coming together to celebrate this event, with different political views, with different views of the country, coming together to celebrate this date, which unites democrats and those who They love freedom, it’s fantastic,” he said.
Accompanied by former IL leader and current European election front-runner João Cotrim de Figueiredo, Ruy Rocha asked that participation in this afternoon’s parade be reflected in the June vote, hoping there would also be a “huge participation” there.
Unlike Pedro Nuno Santos, Rui Rocha believed that it would be a long time “before the Portuguese forget all the consequences of socialist rule.”
On the left, BE coordinator Mariana Mortagua dismissed the demonstration as more of an “occupation for freedom,” speaking of “the whole country taking to the streets.”
“Most people take to the streets over 50, and this is not just a celebration of April 25, to mark a symbolic day, it is to make a statement: to say that in Portugal democracy cannot be negotiated, democracy cannot be at stake, there is most people who support democracy defend democracy and think that this is the best system for Portugal,” he said.
“I believe that so many people took to the streets today, despite their political and ideological differences, but to reaffirm this fundamental principle: equality, freedom, justice and democracy,” he said.
PKP Secretary General Paulo Raimundo also praised the massive, expressive and even “emotional” participation of citizens, calling it “a great confirmation of April.”
The communist warned that problems with access to health care, education and housing still persist.
“Here there is a statement of April and at the same time a demand that April be observed in people’s lives,” he said.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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