Former leader of the Liberal Initiative (IL), Rui Rocha, criticized Portugal on Friday for delaying the activation of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, suggesting the request was postponed to avoid embarrassment during celebrations while seeking European assistance.
This criticism comes following the Social Democratic Party (PSD) holding its traditional political event, Festa do Pontal, in Algarve on Thursday, despite the nation facing critical wildfire challenges.
“Yesterday, there was no need to activate the European fire-fighting mechanism. Today, it was activated. What changed?” questioned the liberal on the social media platform X.
He answered: “Simple: yesterday was the Pontal, and it would have been an even greater shame to celebrate while seeking help from Europe.”
Rui Rocha further emphasized that “the arrival of aid had to wait until after the party.”
Yesterday, there was no need to activate the European fire-fighting mechanism. Today, it was activated. What changed?
Simple: yesterday was the Pontal, and it would have been an even greater shame to celebrate while seeking help from Europe.
The arrival of aid had to wait until after the party.
— Rui Rocha (@ruirochaliberal) August 15, 2025
National Civil Protection Commander Mário Silvestre announced on Friday that Portugal had activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, requesting assistance from four Canadair firefighting aircraft.
Mário Silvestre justified the activation due to climatic conditions that, contrary to expectations, did not allow overnight opportunities to combat some of the fires effectively.
The European Commission has confirmed it is “mobilizing the support” requested by Portugal to help tackle the forest fires. “Yes, Portugal activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, and we are mobilizing the requested support,” a spokesperson for the European Commission, Eva Hrncirova, told Lusa.
The European Commission stated today to Lusa that it is “mobilizing the support” requested by Portugal within the framework of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism to help combat forest fires in the country.
Lusa | 14:04 – 15/08/2025
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that “solidarity knows no borders” and that support is being mobilized to assist Portugal with four Canadair aircraft in fighting the forest fires.
“Our fight against forest fires continues. Portugal activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. European solidarity knows no borders. Our support is being mobilized,” wrote Ursula von der Leyen on social media.
Meanwhile, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stressed that “no country is alone” and that the European Union stands with Portugal “in the fight against forest fires.”
“In Europe, no country is alone,” Roberta Metsola wrote on social media, adding that the word “solidarity has real meaning.”
