The Socialist Party, in a statement expressing sorrow to Lusa, highlights that “Balsemão leaves a legacy of independence, a sense of public service, and an unwavering defense of press freedom.”
“The Socialist Party expresses its deep sorrow for the passing of Francisco Pinto Balsemão, a pivotal figure in Portuguese democracy, whose life was marked by a commitment to freedom, pluralism, and the rule of law,” it praises.
For the party led by José Luís Carneiro, the former prime minister “always knew how to honor the value of democratic debate and the coexistence between differences, fundamental principles of democratic life that he shared with the Socialist Party during the major stages of building a free and European Portugal.”
“The Socialist Party pays tribute to a life dedicated to public service and democracy,” it commends.
The Socialists recall the “journalist, founder of Expresso and the Impresa Group, member of the Constituent Assembly and the Assembly of the Republic, prime minister during challenging times of democratic consolidation, and founder of the PPD/PSD.”
“To all his family, friends, and collaborators, the Socialist Party extends its heartfelt condolences,” it states.
The eminent PSD member Francisco Pinto Balsemão died today, confirmed by an official party source to Lusa.
The news of the former prime minister’s death was announced by PSD president Luís Montenegro during the party’s National Council, with applause being heard in the room.
Balsemão founded the weekly Expresso in 1973 during the dictatorship, SIC, Portugal’s first private television, in 1992, and the media group Impresa.
In 1974, following the April 25 Revolution, he founded the Democratic People’s Party (PPD), later the Social Democratic Party PSD, with Francisco Sá Carneiro and Magalhães Mota. He led two governments after Sá Carneiro’s death, between 1980 and 1983, and was, until now, a member of the Council of State, the advisory body to the President of the Republic.
