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Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa20th President of the Portuguese Republic
Date of Birth: 12.12.1948
Country:  Portugal |
Content:
- Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa: Portugal's 20th President
- Early Life and Education
- Political Career
- Media and Academia
- Presidency
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa: Portugal's 20th President
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa served as the 20th President of the Portuguese Republic from 2016 to 2021. Before that, he held numerous political and academic positions, including Minister of State and Parliamentary Affairs, leader of the Social Democratic Party, and professor of law.
Early Life and Education
Born in Lisbon on December 12, 1948, Rebelo de Sousa is the son of former colonial administrator Baltazar Rebelo de Sousa and Maria da Neves Fernandes Duarte. He was named after Marcelo Caetano, the former Prime Minister of Portugal. Rebelo de Sousa graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon, where he later became a professor of law.
Political Career
Rebelo de Sousa began his political career under the "Estado Novo" regime, serving as a lawyer and journalist. In 1974, he joined the Social Democratic Party (PSD). He served as a member of parliament from 1975 to 1976 and as Secretary of State of the Council of Ministers from 1981 to 1982. In June 1982, he became Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, a position he held until 1995.
In 1996, Rebelo de Sousa was elected leader of the PSD. Under his leadership, the party formed the center-right "Democratic Alliance" coalition with the Popular Party. Rebelo de Sousa also served as Vice President of the European People's Party from 1997 to 1999.
Media and Academia
In addition to his political career, Rebelo de Sousa was a renowned political analyst. He hosted weekly programs on RTP and TVI, providing commentary on current affairs. He was also a member of the Advisory Council of the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic from 2002 to 2006.
Presidency
On January 24, 2016, Rebelo de Sousa was elected President of Portugal in the first round of voting. Running as an independent, he appealed to moderation and cross-party consensus. During his campaign, he pledged to heal political divisions and address the economic challenges faced by Portugal after the 2011-2014 financial assistance.
In March 2020, Rebelo de Sousa requested that parliament approve a state of emergency to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first time that the country had declared a state of emergency since democracy was established in 1974. On January 24, 2021, he was reelected as President for a second term.
