The President of the Republic dismissed on Thursday, after inaugurating the ‘Mário Soares: Um Homem Inteiro’ exhibit, the notion that he is delaying his opinion on the state of public health in Portugal due to the upcoming municipal elections on October 12.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa had previously stated this week that he would only comment on the issue “after the transition from summer to autumn,” words he reiterated on Thursday.
“We are close,” he admitted, indicating that he would assess the state of the National Health Service (SNS) within three weeks at the most.
When asked if he was postponing his opinion to avoid interference with the municipal elections, the head of state immediately rejected the idea, asserting that the two matters “are unrelated.”
“The municipal elections are the municipal elections. The evaluation I mentioned pertains to observing current health developments”, he stated.
Nonetheless, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa acknowledged that he would “probably” share his thoughts only after the electoral period.
“The municipal elections are so close, so close, so close… Probably… It depends on when I am asked and the perspective I will have to make a judgment”, confessed the President of the Republic.
Regarding the idea proposed by Health Minister Ana Paula Martins to establish a regional emergency service for the Setúbal Peninsula, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa refrained from commenting on the specific measure.
“I do not wish to comment on the matter, and when I do, it will be a comprehensive assessment. I’m not going to start examining how the emergency service operated here and there, month to month. It is a comprehensive judgment on the challenges currently facing the health system structures, particularly the National Health Service”, he stated.
SNS is a “fundamental pillar of Health promotion”
On Monday, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced in a note on the Presidency of the Republic’s website that he considers the SNS to be a “fundamental pillar” for health in Portugal. The communication was made in light of the service’s 46th anniversary.
“President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has always advocated and will continue to advocate for the SNS as a fundamental pillar in promoting health in Portugal and a structural principle of our democratic society,” reads the text.
For the Portuguese head of state, the SNS is “composed of people, histories, achievements, successes, and commendations,” but also “subject to vulnerabilities and challenges.”
“It is, therefore, important to continue fighting for the SNS by addressing problems with courage, seeking answers, testing solutions, and committing to innovation to ensure the future and sustainability of the National Health Service,” he concluded.
The President of the Republic of Portugal today affirmed that the National Health Service (SNS) is a “fundamental pillar” and “structural principle” of Democracy, during the 46th anniversary of this public healthcare system serving the population.
Lusa | 08:22 – 15/09/2025
