“We should not evaluate the dates of April 25 and November 25 as being alternatives. April 25 is unique, irreplaceable, has a structural and fundamental mark on Portuguese democracy, and it was what initiated the whole process of freedom. It is a unique, irreplaceable date with its absolutely unique place in the history of Portuguese democracy. November 25 as well,” declared José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Polymer Engineering Innovation Center (PIEP) at the University of Minho, in the Azurém campus, Guimarães, Braga district, the President of the Assembly of the Republic argued that November 25 allowed for the consolidation of freedom and liberal representative democracy.
“It is the date that allows everyone to have their representation in parliament, and freedom, which was consolidated in light of deviations that had occurred in the revolutionary process. It has its crucial, unique moment regarding its positioning in the history of Portugal. We should not confuse them; they do not overlap, they are distinct moments, with paramount importance for the democratic history of Portugal,” emphasized the parliament president.
As a celebration dividing Portuguese political right and left, Aguiar Branco was questioned about the potential risk of equating November 25 to April 25 and whether all necessary debates on this matter have occurred.
“Risks are everywhere in life. Life itself is a risk. Debates have already happened and occur naturally in a democratic rule of law, where we have the freedom to discuss ideas. It is healthy and normal for these discussions to happen,” he noted.
Aguiar Branco reminded that it was the parliament that “defined and considered by majority” the celebration of November 25.
“It means that in democracy, it is by majority vote that we define our collective will. It also defined that November 25 deserved commemoration by the Assembly of the Republic, especially on the 50th anniversary of November 25, with a dignity compatible with its importance for the consolidation of the democratic regime in Portugal,” he added.
The President of the Assembly of the Republic urged not to fuel controversies between the two dates, considering it pointless.
“Each has its unique moment in the history of Portugal, and we must appreciate both because it is they that have allowed us to be here today,” stressed Aguiar Branco.
