“November 25 deserves to be commemorated. However, it cannot be placed on the same level as the celebrations of April 25, nor should it be used by some to oppose April 25,” said the presidential candidate concerning the government’s commission to commemorate the 50th anniversary of November 25, 1975.
The presidential candidate spoke to journalists during the launch session of the book “O 25 de Novembro – Memórias de um Capitão de Abril” (Âncora Editora), by Vasco Lourenço, held this afternoon at the headquarters of the Associação 25 de Abril in Lisbon.
António José Seguro emphasized April 25, 1974, as a “foundational act” that “initiates freedom and democracy” and urged for the establishment of dates and celebrations that unite people and the nation.
“That is why I am running for the Presidency of the Republic. It is to unite, not to divide, because there are already too many extremisms and divisions,” he added.
When asked if his comments could be seen as criticism of the government, Seguro stressed the importance of protecting democracy, not taking it “for granted”, and noted that one way to do this is “not using the presidential candidacy platform to criticize each other”.
The events of November 25, where opposing military forces clashed and the so-called moderate wing of the Armed Forces Movement (MFA) prevailed, marked the end of the so-called Ongoing Revolutionary Process (PREC), with no consensus version available.
On August 28, the Council of Ministers approved the creation of a commission to promote and organize the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the November 25, 1975 military operation. This commission will consist of nine members, including a president appointed by the Ministry of Defense and three vice-presidents appointed by the President of the Assembly of the Republic after consultations with parliamentary parties.
