The participation of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was initially planned via videoconference, with journalists observing an empty chair at the Palácio de Belém. However, the President surprised attendees by entering the room and was met with applause from the students.
In his opening remarks to the young people, the head of state explained the reason behind his decision to attend the PSD training initiative in person, having traveled to Castelo de Vide directly from a firefighter’s funeral in Mem Martins (Sintra).
“This visit is the last since I plan to completely withdraw from politics. A former President cannot comment on prime ministers, governments, and opposition leaders,” he stated, emphasizing that it would not have been appropriate to bid farewell by videoconference from this exemplary initiative.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reiterated that after stepping down as President of the Republic on March 9 next year, he intends to teach at primary and secondary levels and participate only in the Council of State and official ceremonies such as those on April 25, October 5, and June 10.
Furthermore, he admitted that “speaking via videoconference is a hassle, it’s hard to see and to be seen, and it offers half the pleasure,” which prompted today’s surprise to both security and his daughter and grandson, whom he informed he would be late for dinner tonight.
This marks Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s 11th participation in the PSD Summer University, with the last attendance being two years ago at a dinner-conference focusing on the Ukraine situation, his only in-person involvement since being elected President of the Republic in 2016, alongside a video appearance in 2022.
Prior to this, he participated in the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014 editions, addressing numerous topics with the young students.
Concluding an approximately two-hour session with responses to ten student questions, the President of the Republic left with barely any statements to the media, which inquired about the coincidence of this “lesson” in Castelo de Vide with the parliamentary debate involving the prime minister on recent weeks’ fires.
“I didn’t listen, but this was scheduled beforehand,” he replied.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, after greeting some GNR members near the venue before getting into his car, reiterated his nostalgia for the PSD Summer University.
“I will miss it greatly, but things come to an end in life,” he remarked, following his farewell to students as “the closure of a long cycle of his life.”
