The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, and José Pedro Aguiar-Branco are currently at Hospital de São João in Porto to visit the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who underwent emergency surgery on Monday night for an incarcerated hernia.

Upon arrival, Luís Montenegro told the journalists present that he brings “an embrace from the Portuguese people” for Marcelo.

“An opportunity to convey that the country naturally stands with him and wishes him a speedy recovery,” he emphasized.

Regarding the medical recommendation for rest following the urgent surgery, the Head of Government admitted he has no doubt it will be “difficult [for Marcelo] to restrain the urge he surely already feels to return to the daily hustle.”

Concerning a potential substitution of the President by the President of the Assembly of the Republic, Luís Montenegro assured that he was unaware of any such plans.

“We are united in thought and interpretation of the Portuguese people’s sentiment that the President of the Republic has a swift recovery and convalescence. That’s what we came here to do, in a spirit of friendship and solidarity,” concluded the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Aguiar-Branco refrained from making statements, promising to speak after the visit.