Portugal's President marks 50 years of Council of Europe membership

Portuguese President António José Seguro traveled to Strasbourg to mark the 50th anniversary of Portugal's accession to the Council of Europe. During his visit, he addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, reaffirming Portugal's commitment to peace, democracy, and human rights.

Seguro issued warnings regarding the fragility of democratic institutions, stating that “democracy can be lost” and calling for vigilance against rising extremist currents and the resurgence of hate-based movements. He also highlighted the importance of protecting consolidated rights and expressed concern over geopolitical uncertainty and the disregard for international law.

In addition to political and human rights issues, the President called for European cooperation to address the rising cost of living, noting that many individuals and businesses are facing significant economic difficulties. His itinerary included meetings with the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, and a visit to the European Court of Human Rights.