An unflustered President of the Republic of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said that for Portugal, a Referendum "is an issue that does not arise," explaining to reporters that Portugal "wants to continue in the European Union," but giving no supporting data.
"Portugal is the European Union, feels good in the European Union and wants to continue in the European Union. The Constitution says that any decision on a referendum is for the President to make and therefore this is an issue that does not arise at this point," said the president today to counter calls from the Left Bloc to hold a Referendum unless the European Commission stops bullying Portugal with threats of sanctions.
After the Brexit decision made in the United Kingdom the President argued that it is necessary quickly to define the kind of relationship that should be maintained in the future between Portuguese citizens and the UK.
"The worst that could be is a delay or lack of clarity on the kind of relationships that will be maintained in the future, particularly for European citizens who live in the UK, as many Portuguese do, where there are important communities that there have significant economic activities."
"The sooner there is a clear framework for relations between the European Union and the UK better."
The President was speaking to the press after the inauguration of the Adega Cooperativa de São Mamede da Ventosa, in Torres Vedras.
With the Left Bloc pushing for a Portuguese Referendum, should MPs vote that one should be held, it would put the president at odds with parliament.
As a net recipient of Community funds, the Portugese public is unlikely to support a move to leave the Union and witnessing the current turmoil in the UK, the government would do anything to avoid following the UK into the unknown without a strong economy to support independence - which Porugal certainly does not have.
