The Defence Minister on Monday highlighted what he described as “the largest single investment ever” in the Armed Forces during the 1 December ceremonies, the last of such to be attended by outgoing President Marcelo, at which a small group of nationalists voiced their discontent.
For our readers’ reference, 1 December is a special date in the Portuguese calendar as it marks the Restoration of Independence Day, nearly four hundred years on from 1 December 1640, when Portuguese forces revolted against 60 years of Iberian union with the Hapsburgs under Spanish rule, thus restoring Portugal’s sovereignty with King João IV on the throne.
In his statement, Defence Minister Nuno Melo was referred to Portugal’s formal application to the EU’s SAFE defence loan programme, worth €5.8 billion, and approved by the Council of Ministers on Friday. “It is the biggest one-off investment in the Armed Forces, equipping them with the material that is absolutely essential for fulfilling missions both at home and abroad,” the minister said. He represented the Prime Minister at the event, held at Restauradores Square in Lisbon.
Melo said further details would be released in the coming days regarding the equipment Portugal intends to acquire under this decade-long European programme, as well as the interest costs involved, listing “ships, armoured vehicles, satellites, munitions, and drones”.
“These will be investments across all domains – land, sea, air and space. (…) Everything that is absolutely necessary for the Armed Forces, much of whose equipment is already outdated, at the end of its life cycle. This effort is crucial,” he said.
President Marcelo, who as usual did not speak during the ceremony, went over to one side of Restauradores Square at the end to greet members of the Friends of Olivença association.
However, nearby stood around a dozen others holding a banner reading “Portuguese First”, who seized the moment to express their displeasure to the head of state.
“I’m very happy that your term is ending and that you’re leaving the country,” one man shouted, while another confronted him over the infamous case that dominated headlines a few months ago of alleged preferential treatment given to ill twin girls within the National Health Service. The episode lasted only a few moments before the President stepped into his car.
The Defence Minister praised the greatness of those who restored Portugal’s political independence, adding that this spirit lives on in today’s Armed Forces, in the veterans and in serving personnel alike, including those who took part in the Carnation Revolution and the events of 25 November 1975.
“The Armed Forces are today the heirs of the spirit of 1 December, because they are the living expression of all our historic achievements, the essence of the Portuguese nation, the first manifestation of sovereignty and the last frontier of our independence,” he declared. He extended this “spirit of greatness” to healthcare workers, teachers, farmers, police, entrepreneurs and sportspeople.
Lisbon’s Mayor, Carlos Moedas, also addressed crowds at the ceremony, once again warning that “the disconnect between politicians and what people actually think” fuels misunderstanding and gives rise to populism.
“1 December was the moment when the elites once again listened to the people,” he said, arguing that political life “requires courage”, including the courage to speak out against “the political-media bubble”, as he claims he did years ago when flagging “unregulated immigration”.
Moedas praised the President’s “closeness to the people” and thanked him for “all that I have learned” from him at this, his final 1 December ceremony, before a new head of state takes office on 9 March.
Source: JN
