Former President Ramalho Eanes attended the wake of Francisco Pinto Balsemão this evening at the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon, accompanied by his wife, Manuela Eanes, and spoke to journalists outside the church.
The former head of state praised Balsemão’s role “in the achievement of democracy” and “the freedom and independence of the media,” highlighting his foundational work with the then PPD, now PSD, “a party that was extremely important at the time and still is today.”
“Like all men, he may have had his flaws and mistakes, but I believe his actions were extremely important in the fight for democracy, since the days of the Liberal Wing, striving for a freer, more authentic, and more responsible democracy,” he stated.
Ramalho Eanes also emphasized Balsemão’s governance, recalling the period when they served simultaneously as President of the Republic and Prime Minister, from 1981 to 1983.
According to Eanes, Balsemão’s role as Prime Minister “was particularly important” during times of great tension and challenges in Portugal, “from which he emerged successfully and acted patriotically.”
The former head of state further acknowledged Balsemão’s “remarkable” contribution to the liberation and independence of the media, highlighting the creation of Expresso and SIC.
“I think one could say his actions were of excellence, and without exaggeration, that he deserves to remain in the memory of the Portuguese,” he concluded.
Subsequently, Manuela Eanes wanted “to emphasize that Dr. Balsemão always had by his side a woman who is an example of dignity, solidarity, and family spirit,” Mercedes Balsemão, “and who has a work, as you know, SIC Esperança, an important social project.”
Francisco Pinto Balsemão, who took over the leadership of the PSD and the position of Prime Minister following the death of Francisco Sá Carneiro, led the VII and VIII constitutional governments, of the AD, between 1981 and 1983.
While heading the VIII Constitutional Government, the third of the AD, Balsemão announced his decision to step down from government functions in September 1982, six days after local elections, stating that he had made that decision “long ago.” The Prime Minister’s resignation led Eanes to dissolve parliament.
Upon announcing his decision, Balsemão asserted that “the fullness of the democratic regime” had been reached, with milestones such as the constitutional revision, achieved “despite much opposition, much misunderstanding, and even some betrayals.”
The former Prime Minister, founder and number one militant of the PSD, of which he was also president, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88.
Francisco Pinto Balsemão chaired the Impresa media group, which includes Expresso, founded during the dictatorship in 1973, and SIC, the first private television in Portugal, created in 1992.
He was a member of the Council of State, a political advisory body to the President of the Republic.
