This information is included in a statement published today on the IDL portal, a non-profit political association established in 1975, initially called the Institute of Democracy and Freedom, with founders such as Adelino Amaro da Costa and Basílio Horta from the CDS.
On Saturday, during a conference celebrating the IDL’s 50th anniversary at Teatro Thalia in Lisbon, the President of the Republic announced he would honor this institute with the Order of Liberty, but was informed that the medals were left at the Palácio de Belém.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa began by praising the IDL for its commitment “since the beginning” in defending freedom in Portugal. He then addressed the current president of the institute’s governing council, university professor and former CDS president Manuel Monteiro.
“Therefore, I would hand over to its president [Manuel Monteiro]—I don’t know if you want to include anyone else, those who have had responsibilities in the institute throughout history—the insignia corresponding to the title of honorary member of the Order of Liberty”, he declared.
At that moment, someone in the audience informed the President of the Republic that it was not possible to carry out the ceremonial act right then. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was heard incredulously commenting: “Didn’t bring them? Not with you?”
Then, the head of state turned again to the theater audience and lightheartedly remarked: “It’s a small bureaucratic gap that shows the country hasn’t changed much in 50 years in many respects”.
“It is acknowledged. The license is signed”, emphasized Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who invited current and some former IDL leaders to soon visit the Palácio de Belém to receive the insignia.
A delegation composed of former presidents, current members of the institute’s bodies, and José Ribeiro e Castro, former CDS-PP president, as coordinator of the IDL’s 50th anniversary organizing committee, will visit Palácio de Belém on October 27, as stated in the note published today on the IDL portal.
The IDL was established in 1975, initially named the Institute of Democracy and Freedom. After the death of the then Minister of National Defense in 1980, it was renamed Institute Amaro da Consta in honor of its founder.
According to its statutes, it is a political, non-profit association aimed at “investigating cultural, social, economic, and political phenomena determining the free exercise of democracy in Portugal, especially those related to Christian democracy, as well as training individuals who promote the exercise of democracy and freedom in these major sectors of human activity.”
In his speech on Saturday, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa mentioned that he was a collaborator of the institute and witnessed its activities over the past 50 years.
“As President of the Portuguese Republic, [I believe] its 50 years should be recognized through the award of a decoration in Portugal’s name. I thought there was only one suitable: the Order of Liberty. Because the Order of Liberty is intended for all who fought in the past, fight in the present, and will fight in the future for freedom,” he explained.
The head of state expressed that “Portugal and Portuguese democracy are indeed very grateful to the IDL for its contribution at its inception, for surviving in difficult circumstances, and for contributing to the affirmation of freedom and democracy in Portugal.”
