Portugal: Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa Bids Farewell with a Unique Gesture Toward Journalists

 Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa Bids Farewell with a Unique Gesture Toward Journalists

Just after stepping down as President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa marked the moment with a symbolic gesture toward the press. The outgoing head of state thanked journalists for their “patience over the past ten years” but declined to make any formal statements, reiterating that he had entered the promised “eternal desert.”

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrived at the National Palace of Ajuda at 5:35 p.m. on Monday, March 9, where he was decorated by the new President of the Republic, António José Seguro, with the Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty. Upon arrival, he refused to speak, recalling the phrase he had used in December to describe his future after leaving office.

At the end of the ceremony, around 6:10 p.m., he agreed to take a selfie with journalists waiting outside the palace. “Selfie, yes, but no little words,” he cautioned. As he walked to his car, he repeated that he would say “nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing,” except for one remark: “Thank you for your patience over the past ten years.” When asked if that was his final word, he replied: “Yes, it is the last word.”

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a retired law professor who rose to prominence as a political commentator, concluded his second and final consecutive term as President at the age of 77. Known for his fast-paced style and informal, close contact with citizens, he left office after a decade in power. The former PSD leader was first elected on January 24, 2016, with 52% of the vote in the first round, and re-elected five years later with 60.67%.