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Manuel AlegrePortuguese poet, writer and politician
Date of Birth: 12.05.1936
Country:  Portugal |
Content:
- Manuel Alegre: Portuguese Poet, Writer, and Politician
- Military Service and Imprisonment
- Exile and Radio Broadcasting
- Return to Portugal and Political Career
- Presidential Campaigns
- Literary Career
- Honors and Recognition
Manuel Alegre: Portuguese Poet, Writer, and Politician
Early Life and ActivismManuel Alegre was born in Águeda, Portugal, and pursued law at the University of Coimbra. As a student, he was an active participant in student politics, dramatics, and sports. In his youth, he joined the banned Portuguese Communist Party and opposed the fascist regime of António Salazar.
Military Service and Imprisonment
Alegre was drafted into the army and served in the Azores and Angola. In Angola, he spent time in prison in Luanda for his involvement in an attempted military uprising.
Exile and Radio Broadcasting
In 1964, Alegre went into exile in Algiers, where he worked for the independent Portuguese-language radio station "Voz da Liberdade."
Return to Portugal and Political Career
After the "Carnation Revolution" of 1974, Alegre returned to Portugal. He joined the Socialist Party and has been elected to the parliament as its representative since 1975. Within the party, Alegre is considered a member of the left wing, opposing constitutional amendments that declared Portugal a socialist republic.
Presidential Campaigns
In 2006, Alegre ran independently for president and garnered 1,138,297 votes (20.7%). In 2011, he ran for president on behalf of the Socialist Party, supported by the Left Bloc, Portuguese Communist Party, and Democratic Party of the Atlantic. Despite high pre-election poll ratings, Alegre placed second to incumbent president Aníbal Cavaco Silva.
Literary Career
Alegre's first book of poetry was published in 1965. His works, often banned in Portugal, were distributed in the country as samizdat before 1974. Some of his poems have been set to music.
Honors and Recognition
Alegre is a Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty. In 2005, a monument was erected in his honor in Coimbra.
