Marcelo Rebelo de Souza argues that democracy is made or broken every day

The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, defended this Wednesday that democracy is made or destroyed every day, pointing to the need to respect freedom, fundamental rights, pluralism, opinions and differences.

“It is no use just looking at the past: democracy is made or destroyed every day. Every time poverty increases, democracy is destroyed, every time inequality increases, democracy is destroyed,” he emphasized.

During the unveiling ceremony of a mural dedicated to Alberto Martins and the academic crisis of 1969, painted in the city of Coimbra, Marcelo Rebelo de Souza outlined some of the dangers that could put democracy at risk.

“Every time we fall behind in terms of skills, democracy is destroyed, every time we do not go as far as we should in health, education, social solidarity, housing, democracy is destroyed. leave because they don’t have the opportunity to stay, democracy is falling apart,” he added.

During his speech, the President of the Republic emphasized the need for daily reconstruction of democracy.

“Starting with the simplest, never sacrifice freedom, fundamental rights. Never sacrifice pluralism, the opinion of every person and always respect differences: we are different and no one can impose on us equality in our way of life, equal in our rights and access and enjoyment of rights – yes, but everyone chooses their own path,” he concluded .

In his opinion, there are no pure Portuguese and Europeans.

“There can be no xenophobia, there can be no intolerant discrimination, that’s where democracy comes from. This is where the request to speak out comes from and the whole civil, personal and human life of Alberto Martins,” he said.