“We cannot accept that a Government decides that April 25th is a disposable date that can be celebrated on any other date,” stated Mariana Mortágua, speaking to journalists at Largo do Carmo in Lisbon.
“We will not wait a week to celebrate democracy, to celebrate free voting, universal voting, the first time women could vote,” Mariana Mortágua further emphasized.
The BE coordinator reiterated that “considering that April 25th can be celebrated on another date is a profound disrespect,” reminding that “Portugal had one of the longest dictatorships in Europe.”
“There may be a right-wing Government that does not respect April 25th, but that is certainly not the will of the majority of the Portuguese people,” she added.
Mariana Mortágua’s reaction comes after the Government announced that the traditional opening of the gardens at the official residence of the Prime Minister on April 25th would be postponed to May 1st this year, due to national mourning and “out of respect for the death of Pope Francis.”
The Prime Minister’s office later clarified that the gardens of São Bento will be open for public visits on April 25th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the distribution of carnations, but without festivities and without the presence of Luís Montenegro, who will be traveling to Rome that day to participate in the funeral ceremonies of Pope Francis.
On Thursday, the Government approved in the Council of Ministers the decree that declares three days of national mourning for the death of Pope Francis, to be observed from today until Saturday.
Regarding the national mourning declared by the Government, Mariana Mortágua acknowledged that the “memory and legacy of a good man” should be respected in “freedom and peace.” “That was the message that believers and non-believers received from Pope Francis,” she noted.
