The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, announced on Wednesday that he has canceled his entire schedule until the conclusion of the funeral ceremonies for Francisco Pinto Balsemão, who passed away on Tuesday, October 21.
“Prime Minister Luís Montenegro canceled his entire schedule until the end of Francisco Pinto Balsemão’s funeral ceremonies,” stated a note sent to newsrooms.
Luís Montenegro had previously canceled his trip to Brussels, where he was to attend an informal dinner with European Union leaders and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday, on the occasion of the EU-Egypt summit.
His participation in the European Council on Thursday remained dependent on the scheduling of Francisco Pinto Balsemão’s funeral ceremonies – the wake is taking place on Wednesday starting at 6:30 PM, with the mass scheduled for tomorrow at 1 PM at the Jerónimos Monastery.
The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, is not traveling to Brussels today, and his participation in the European Council on Thursday is still being evaluated following the death of former PSD leader Francisco Pinto Balsemão, according to diplomatic sources.
Lusa | 11:53 – 22/10/2025
It should also be recalled that late in the morning, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, “signed the Government decree declaring national mourning for October 22 and 23” – today and Thursday, “due to the passing of former Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão.”
The President of the Republic approved the two-day national mourning, which takes place today and Thursday, as decreed by the Government for the death of former Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão.
Lusa | 11:13 – 22/10/2025
Francisco Pinto Balsemão, former Prime Minister and businessman, died early Tuesday evening, October 21.
In a statement, it was explained that Pinto Balsemão died “of natural causes,” and his “last moments” were spent with family.
“A great figure in the defense of freedom, an unwavering advocate of press and expression freedom, he shaped the country’s history in recent decades. He launched Portugal’s most important newspaper, Expresso, in 1973, and the first private television in Portugal, SIC, in 1992, among many other editorial projects,” the note reads.
Francisco Pinto Balsemão died at dusk on Tuesday, October 21, at the age of 88. He was a remarkable figure in both politics and the media. “Founder of democracy,” “one of the most significant figures of the past sixty years,” as noted by the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic. “Portugal will never forget him.”
Natacha Nunes Costa with Lusa | 09:03 – 22/10/2025
[Updated at 3:18 PM]
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