The Legislative Assembly of Madeira expresses its sorrow and consternation over the passing of one of the most remarkable figures in the history of Portuguese democracy. Francisco Pinto Balsemão will always be remembered as a defender of freedom, democracy, and also Autonomy,” stated the vote of condolence read by the president of the Legislative Assembly, Rubina Leal.
The vote highlights that Pinto Balsemão was “a major figure in Portuguese democracy” and a “central protagonist of contemporary History” of the country, also emphasizing that his “civic, political, and journalistic journey stood out for the unwavering defense of freedom, democracy, the Rule of Law, autonomy, and freedom of the press.”
His political career was also remembered, notably as the founder of the then Popular Democratic Party (PPD) and member number one of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), assuming the “leadership of the Government in 1981, in one of the most challenging moments of the young democracy, after the death of Francisco Sá Carneiro, as Prime Minister.”
The text adds that Francisco Pinto Balsemão “led the country through a period of great instability and is inseparable from the constitutional revision of 1982, a document that abolished the Council of the Revolution and strengthened civil powers, constituting one of the most decisive reforms of the democratic regime.”
The Madeiran parliament points out that he was “visionary, determined, and deeply committed to the cause of freedom” and “stood out as one of the most firm voices against censorship and prior scrutiny,” remembering that he founded the weekly Expresso and launched the television channel SIC, “the first private television station in Portugal, revolutionizing the national media landscape and establishing himself as one of the greatest defenders of press freedom and informative pluralism.”
The text further mentions that he was a “committed autonomist, Europeanist, and Atlanticist, throughout his public life, advocating for a country based on pluralism, decentralization, and regional autonomy, seeing these as pillars of national cohesion and democratic deepening.”
Rubina Leal recalled that Pinto Balsemão supported Madeira in particularly difficult times, “notably during the flood on February 20, 2010, promptly mobilizing a support campaign called ‘A Flower for Madeira,’ raising about 900,000 euros for the reconstruction of homes, a gesture that will remain in the memory of all Madeirans.”
“To Portugal, Francisco Pinto Balsemão leaves a unique legacy: that of an unhesitating democrat, a fighter for freedom, a communication pioneer, and a citizen whose civic example will continue to inspire future generations,” she emphasized.
Francisco Pinto Balsemão died on Tuesday at the age of 88.
The news of the death of PSD’s member number one was announced by the Social Democrat president and Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, during a meeting of the party’s National Council in Lisbon.
The vote of condolence read today in the Legislative Assembly of Madeira will be voted on Thursday.
