“Well, [it’s] Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa doing one of his own, as he does, this is not the first time he speaks more than he should and, in some way, slightly questions, even the role of the President of the Republic”, declared the leader of IL to journalists today in Grândola, in the Setúbal district.
At the sidelines of the session presenting the party’s candidates to the municipal bodies of Grândola, near the 25 de Abril Memorial, the president of the ‘liberals’ was asked by journalists about the statements made by the head of state on Wednesday, at the PSD’s Summer University, taking place in Castelo de Vide, Portalegre district.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa remarked that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, functions today as a “Soviet asset,” favoring the Russian Federation in the war against Ukraine.
For Mariana Leitão, the role of the President of the Republic is “essential” and “should be sheltered from such controversies that help no one, solve no problem. On the contrary, they stir controversies and will now force the Government to possibly act on these statements.”
The party representative also admitted that Portugal is being talked about “in the world, not for the best reasons, but again, due to actions of the President of the Republic, who continues to insist on acting as a commentator and giving his opinion on everything and anything, disrespecting the role of the President, who should be someone using words with great consideration and always at decisive moments, when his words will truly make a difference,” she argued.
When asked if she fears that these statements have reached Trump’s ‘ears’ and could lead to sanctions against Portugal, Mariana Leitão downplayed, stating she does not think “it will come to that.”
“Obviously, it will create a situation from a diplomatic standpoint” and “it will force Portugal to also take some measures to avoid any type of incident,” but “I don’t think we will reach a point where some kind of sanctions will exist,” she stated, sending a message to the President, as he is at the end of his term: “Some restraint would be welcome,” to “leave in a more dignified manner and not shrouded in controversies.”
Following the candidate presentation session, the Liberal Initiative delegation visited the Grândola August Fair.
