The President of the Republic was admitted to the hospital today following a feeling of unwellness. In a statement to journalists, the head of the hospital’s board, Maria João Baptista, mentioned that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa “is in good spirits” and that the urgent surgery he will undergo “is of low surgical and anesthetic risk.”
In a note, the Secretary-General of PS, José Luís Carneiro, expressed hopes for a safe surgery and a swift recovery for the head of state.
“Having learned that the President of the Republic suffered a sudden health issue and after contacting the Civil House, I express my wishes for the surgical intervention to proceed safely and restore his full health,” stated José Luís Carneiro.
The leader of Chega and presidential candidate André Ventura wrote on the social network X after learning about the President’s condition.
“I wish for a speedy recovery and a return with health and energy”, he hoped.
Through the same platform, Luís Marques Mendes, the presidential candidate supported by PSD and CDS-PP and advisor to the President, also wished Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa a speedy recovery “and his quick and complete recuperation”.
Presidential candidate supported by BE Catarina Martins wrote on the same network: “I hope it’s nothing serious and that he recovers quickly”.
João Cotrim Figueiredo, presidential candidate supported by IL, wrote that he is “closely following the developments in the President’s health”, to whom he wished a speedy recovery.
Candidates António José Seguro (supported by PS) and Jorge Pinto (supported by Livre) learned of the news during a TV debate on RTP, also wishing the head of state a quick recovery.
The President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was admitted today to the Hospital de São João, in Porto, feeling unwell due to indigestion, as indicated by the Presidency of the Republic.
On its official website, the Presidency stated that the head of state felt unwell “when returning from Amarante, from the funeral of Engineer António Mota”, in Amarante.
“The doctors of the Presidency deemed it best to perform medical examinations before making the return trip to Lisbon, which are currently being conducted by the medical team at this national health service hospital,” the note added.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, aged 76, presided this morning at the Plaza 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, before proceeding to the funeral of the former president of Mota-Engil, António Mota.
On Saturday, the President visited the Food Bank Against Hunger in Alcântara, Lisbon, during the evening.
In the press statement made around 22:00, Maria João Baptista further explained that the decision for surgery followed from Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa having been previously operated on for a similar hernia condition.
According to her explanation, a hernia “represents a weaker area of the abdominal wall allowing a part of the intestine to pass through the tissue,” compromising “the ability to supply blood to the tissues.”
The head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, will undergo surgery Monday night for an incarcerated hernia. The team at the Hospital de São João states the surgery is “low risk,” emphasizing the President’s upbeat demeanor. This is not Marcelo’s first hernia surgery.
