Welcome to the Official page of the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic

Good evening,

I wish you all a Happy New Year.

My wishes are addressed to all Portuguese, those who reside in our Country and those who have settled abroad.

I also greet the expatriates who have chosen Portugal either to reside or to work here. We are proud of those who have decided to make their homes in Portugal, an open and pluralist country, where everyone is welcomed with hospitality and without any discrimination.

To all of you go my greetings for the New Year.

Portuguese,

In 2014 we celebrated the 40th anniversary of April 25, the revolution that opened freedom and democracy to us.

A consolidated democracy demands pluralism and diversified opinions. Democratic regimes also presuppose the capability of the different political factions to find the solutions that best serve the interests of the people.

Current opinion is that only through a strategy guided towards the competitiveness of exports, attracting investment and creating employment will it be possible to overcome the challenges of the future.

A strategy accompanied by control of public accounts and foreign indebtedness.

Portugal is still facing a long journey. This must be jointly undertaken, with open dialogue amongst the various political factions, relying on the contribution of entrepreneurs and social partners and bringing the Portuguese together, as achieved in the decisive moments of our democracy.

2015 will be a year when decisive choices will be taken for the future of the Country. The Portuguese will be called upon to pronounce their choice through the exercise of their voting rights.

It is essential to actively take part in the electoral process. Only thus can we expect – and even demand – that politicians act responsibly and with a high civic sense, placing national interest above party politics.

It is fundamental to avoid the artificial dissent and conflict which have affected peoples’ trust in our institutions and, particularly, in politicians.

After forty years of democracy we must develop a clearer and more enlightened political culture.

Political parties must present clear proposals, in order that citizens may assess exactly what is being implied.

I totally reject a demagogic and populist idea that some wish to instil in public opinion, according to which political parties and their leaders are dissociated from the country’s interests and from the people’s expectations.
We must reject populism and make an effort in democratic pedagogy, taking into consideration that political parties are essential for the quality of democracy and for the expression of pluralist opinions.

But this effort in democratic pedagogy may only be carried out through the strength of exemplification.

Parties and politicians must show the Portuguese, through their demeanour that they are an example of transparency, of responsibility and of civic behaviour.

Care must be taken in electoral promises which, not being complied with later on, deeply affect citizens’ trust in politicians and institutions.

Demagogic and unrealistic promises must be avoided.

I must be very clear: it is wrong to believe that the issues the Country is facing can be settled in an environment of easiness.

Such as in other countries in the euro zone, Portugal is subject to the demands for budgetary discipline and for the sustainability of public debt. As recently shown not even the larger sized countries may avoid compliance with these rules.

Portugal cannot return to a situation which it reached in early 2011, when it was obliged to resort to emergency foreign aid.

Only strictness and transparency in the guidance of national policy will allow continued improvement in the peoples’ living conditions.

Fighting corruption is everyone’s duty.

In the year now ended many Portuguese still went through particularly difficult moments, but signs of hope have emerged.

We cannot allow ourselves to be weakened by despondency or to tender pessimism. We must view the future with renewed trust.

Portugal completed the adjustment programme underwritten in 2011 with the international institutions without requiring additional financial aid.

The economy is growing, competitiveness has improved, investment has embarked on a path of recovery and unemployment has been reduced.

It is necessary that political conditions are created for this trend to be reinforced in the year that is now beginning.

European funds placed at the Country’s disposal are a trump card that we cannot discard.

The use of these funds will be effective if it strengthens production growth, job creation and social and territorial cohesion.

The situation of families affected by unemployment and by poverty and the correction of social inequalities must merit special care from all politicians.

Whatever the electoral result, the period subsequent to the electoral process will demand compromise and dialogue.
This spirit of openness must not be impaired by any excesses committed during the political fight prior to the suffrage.

In due time, I alerted the Country to the need of preparing the «post-troika» period.

Now, I call upon the Portuguese – and, in particular, the politicians – to prepare the post electoral period.

It is not just on the day following the elections that stable, solid and consistent governance solutions are erected, capable of ensuring economic growth and provide hope for the Portuguese.

The post electoral period must correspond to the consolidation of a term of trust in our Country, both internally and internationally.

There are reasons to hope in the future. But hope is not proclaimed by mere words.

Hope is built with a sense of national interest, with material attitudes and gestures that effectively contribute to settle the Country’s real issues.

To build a better country in the future, hope has to be sowed in the present.

To all Portuguese, and their families, I renew my best wishes for a Happy New Year in 2015, built of peace and hope.