Marcelo received applause at the April 25 ceremonial meeting when he denounced selfishness towards immigrants.

President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Tuesday denounced the Portuguese who are “selfish in the face of immigrant dramas” who “build Portugal, contribute to social security, create wealth”.

This statement by the head of state at a solemn ceremonial meeting dedicated to the 49th anniversary of April 25 in the Assembly of the Republic caused applause from all sides, except for Chega, while the deputies from the benches to the left and from the PSD stand. up to applause.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa noted that “hundreds of thousands of brothers” from Portuguese-speaking countries live in Portugal, “tireless in what they have done for Portugal”, in connection with the welcoming meeting of Brazilian President Lula da Silva. immediately before.

The President of the Republic mentioned “Brazilian Brothers, Guinean Brothers, Timorese Brothers, Cape Verdean Brothers, Sao Tome Brothers, Angolan Brothers, Mozambique Brothers”, as well as “Goans, Macanese”.

“And I can’t help but extend this to the many others who are also among us, coming from outside, not speaking Portuguese, building Portugal, contributing to social security, creating wealth, contributing to our future, strengthening our historical vocation. “, – added.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa defended that Portugal has a “national purpose”, not only “more economic growth, which is important, or the creation of more equality, or the reduction of poverty, or the lack of social and territorial cohesion”, but to be “a platform between oceans, continents, cultures and peoples.”

“How can we, the homeland of emigration, which should be more sympathetic to the dramas of our emigrants, be selfish in the face of immigrant dramas that belong to others?” he asked, receiving applause.