“I am particularly pleased with this meeting with the President of the Republic because I could directly attest to his excellent physical condition. I think he has recovered in an outstanding manner. To be absolutely honest, if I didn’t trust the medical professionals, I wouldn’t believe he had undergone surgery just hours ago,” said Pedro Duarte.
The mayor of Porto visited Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa this morning, who is hospitalized at Hospital de São João recovering from surgery for an incarcerated hernia.
The procedure took place on Monday, after the head of state, who was traveling from Amarante to Porto airport, felt unwell. After approximately a day and a half of hospitalization, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is expected to be discharged by 1:00 PM.
“We had the opportunity to talk about many things unrelated to his hospitalization. His mind is already focused on the country. We also discussed the city of Porto, the challenges I am beginning to face in my role, as well as the upcoming challenges for the country and the current international situation, which is challenging, as we know, in various areas,” described Pedro Duarte.
The mayor emphasized having had “a pleasant and friendly conversation” with the President and praised the São João Local Health Unit.
“Indeed, what happened in this unit, at Hospital de São João, was another example of good healthcare, of the excellent professionals we have, and of a well-managed institution. It is a satisfaction and pride for the city,” he remarked.
Regarding the present he gave to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa—a pewter dish with the city’s emblem—Pedro Duarte mentioned that the head of state received it warmly.
“It is a memento from the city of Porto, and he is very fond of Porto. We even recalled some moments when he came to the city and engaged directly with the population, as he likes, with a policy of great affection, which we know he always extends to people. In Porto, we are also like that, we appreciate this affection, even an almost personal and human touch, very close, and I think he likes Porto, and Porto likes him,” said the mayor, joking about Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s personality.
According to Pedro Duarte, the President “is a person who enjoys what he does, loves to work, and can’t resist.”
“Even though I, who have no medical qualifications, tried to suggest some calm and rest, it does not have much effect, because he is unstoppable in that respect and, in fact, he is a force of nature, fortunately for all of us,” he concluded.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, 76, presided on Monday morning at Praça dos Restauradores in Lisbon over the commemorations honoring the Heroes of the Restoration and the War of the Acclamation, celebrating the restoration of national independence in 1640. He then attended the funeral ceremonies of the former president of Mota-Engil, António Mota, and reportedly felt unwell at Porto airport when returning to Lisbon.
Undergoing surgery on Monday night at Hospital de São João, where he remains hospitalized, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is expected to be discharged today.
A hernia “corresponds to a weaker area of the abdominal wall that allows part of the intestine to pass through the tissues,” compromising “the ability to irrigate the tissues,” explained the president of ULS São João, Maria João Baptista, providing an update on Marcelo’s health status on Monday night.
In addition to Pedro Duarte (PSD), Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa received visits at Hospital de São João from the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, and the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, on Tuesday, and this morning from the Secretary-General of the PS, José Luís Carneiro.
