The former leader of the CDS and current president of the Historical Society of Portugal’s Independence expressed criticism on Saturday regarding Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s absence from the December 1st celebrations, highlighting the lack of government funding for the society he represents.
Ribeiro e Castro had previously criticized the inadequate funds allocated to this entity—”half a minimum wage per month”—a problem he claimed has persisted since the governments of the Socialist Party, with no changes under the current PSD/CDS-PP administration.
“This time it’s my fault too, as I voted AD”, he stated, lamenting that he has yet to meet with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
I would like the AD government officials to perform differently
The former CDS-PP leader recounted a conversation he had this morning with a member of the public at Restauradores, who expressed surprise over the Prime Minister’s absence, noting he did not attend last year’s ceremonies either.
Later, during an appearance on CNN Portugal, Ribeiro e Castro was asked about his earlier remarks. He reiterated: “I am at fault, I voted AD. I would still vote AD. I would like the AD government officials to perform differently. To solve the problems that concern me and to have fewer reasons for embarrassment”.
Emphasizing that the lack of support for the entity is an ongoing issue he has previously addressed, Ribeiro e Castro noted that funding cuts, which have occurred for at least a decade, are “mockery towards an institution”.
“It is essential that the management system of that building [Independence Palace] is provided with the necessary means for its preservation, or it will fall into decline again. This palace represents an essential value of our country, the value of national independence”, he noted, referring to the building improvements, headquarters of the Historical Society of Portugal’s Independence, completed last year.
I don’t manage his schedule, but the Prime Minister should be there unless there were significant impediments. Even if he doesn’t speak
When asked on CNN Portugal about the impact of the Prime Minister’s absence, Ribeiro e Castro remarked that it sends the message the situation “is not important”.
“I think the Prime Minister should be there; that’s why we invited him. We know perfectly well that the tradition is for the Minister of Defense to speak, but there have been previous situations where the Prime Minister attended. He doesn’t speak. If he wants to speak, he speaks. Other ministers have spoken too. It depends on each government’s decision”, he said.
“December 1st is a national holiday and is the only national holiday that celebrates the value of national independence. That’s why I say it’s Portugal’s Day by the nature of things. We have June 10th, which is a very important day, but it celebrates Portugal in the sense of Portuguese culture—Camões, the language, the communities, the Portuguese universality. What celebrates Portugal’s physical independence, our existence as an independent nation, is December 1st. We have no other”, he reinforced.
“I don’t manage his schedule, but the Prime Minister should be there unless there were significant impediments. And we regret that he isn’t. We would like to have the Prime Minister there. Even if he doesn’t speak. The President set this example throughout his term. He spoke in 2016 and attended every year without speaking. And now he has a specific role in the ceremony. We hope the protocol is reviewed”, he added.
Last year, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro was also absent from the ceremonies.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Nuno Melo responded that the government was represented “as a whole” and dismissed any offense from these remarks.
The National Defense Minister highlighted the greatness of those who regained the country’s political independence and noted that this greatness still resides in contemporary Portugal, among both living former combatants and the Armed Forces’ military personnel, past and present.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, traditionally not a speaker at the ceremony, greeted members of the Olivenza friends association at the end, after heading to one side of the Restauradores Square.
