Portugal: The country commemorates 51 years of democracy against a background of controversy

The Portuguese Government has reduced the tone of the celebrations for the 51 years of the Carnation Revolution, which run in a pre-electoral climate due to the political crisis that has led to the convening of the third early elections in three years. The Portuguese, however, have refused to support it, with the participation of thousands of people in demonstrations that recall the arrival of freedom in the country. Continue reading

On Friday 25 April, Portugal commemorates the 51st anniversary of the advent of democracy, against the background of a controversy due to the national mourning decreed for the death of Pope Francis until Saturday. This led the government to postpone certain celebrations.

Despite the national mourning for the death of Pope Francis, the Assembly of the Republic will hold its traditional solemn session. Still, the opposition criticizes the government for delaying the festive agenda.

April 25th was also celebrated in Galicia. In Pontevedra, in front of the Teatro Principal, dozens of people with nails in their hands sing “Grândola, Vila Morena” at a concert by the musical group Mais Cantos. It was in Galicia, in Santiago de Compostela, that José Afonso performed this song live for the first time.

On a day that is also a national day of mourning for the death of Pope Francis, thousands of people responded to the call to celebrate April 25th on the streets and filled Liberty Avenue for the traditional parade commemorating the 1974 Revolution. On the sides of that artery in the capital, many others waited to see the parade pass, a crowd that stretched from the Marquês de Pombal area to the Restauradores Square. “I've been here for as long a…

Credits: JN The Prime Minister announced on Thursday (23), that the Government cancelled the "festival agenda" and welcomed the celebrations on 25 April, claiming that the national wedding by Pope Francis involved a reservation in the celebrations. After the Council of Ministers which approved the decree of the national wedding for three days by the death of Pope Francis, Antonio Leitão Amaro said that the legislation applicable to the national …