After two rounds, the socialist António José Seguro won the Presidency. The President of Portugal has the power to dissolve the Assembly of the Republic, dismiss the Government when the regular functioning of democratic institutions is at stake, dismiss the prime-minister, and declare a state of siege or emergency. The President is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed forces and guarantees national independence, the unity of the State, and the regular functioning of democratic institutions.
Before getting into the swearing-in ceremony that happened yesterday (9th of March), let’s get to know a bit about the new president.
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About António José Seguro
António José Seguro was born on March 11 1962, in Penamacor, and is the youngest of three siblings. He is married and has 2 children, a boy and a girl, living with them in Caldas da Rainha.
He has a degree in International Relations from the Autonomous University of Lisbon. Until his election as President of the Republic of Portugal, he was a professor in that same University, and in the Higher Institute of Social and Political Science (ISCSP), teaching Political Sciences and International Relations.
In terms of political parties, he is from Partido Socialist (PS) or socialist party. António José Seguro became Secretary-General of the Socialist Party, after the party lost elections in 2011. He served as leader of the party until 2014, year in which he was substituted António Costa (the now President of the European Counsil).
Yesterday’s Swearing-In Ceremony of the President
Before the actual swearing-in ceremony, the now president António José Seguro arrived around 9h30 at the Portuguese Parliament building and greeted foreign heads of states. Later, the former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrived and military honors proceeded as planned, with the singing of the national anthem and inspection of the Guard of Honor.
Inside, after a brief handshaking with national politicians and foreign heads of state, the Former President Rebelo de Sousa, the President of the Assembly of the Republic José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, and the newly-elected President António José Seguro entered the parliament.
In the picture, António José Seguro is seen with his hand on the constitution, which is being held by the President of the Assembly of the Republic. The swearing-in ceremony took about an hour, with speeches from the President of the Assembly and the President António José Seguro.
The military honors for the new President happened outside, with the singing of the national anthem and inspection of the Guard of Honor.
As Head of the Armed Forces, Seguro conducts his first review of the honor guard before heading to the Jerónimos Monastery.
In the historic Monastery, the President laid a crown of flowers (wreath) on the grave of Luís Vaz de Camões, a very important Portuguese writer from the 16th-century.
After the swearing-in ceremony, the President of Portugal traveled to the Palace of Belém with his family. The new head of state entered the Belém Palace and proceeded to the Sala das Bicas, where he received the insignia of the Presidents of the Republic, the Order of the Three Orders, from the Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic, Ana Cristina Baptista.
After this short ceremony, he had lunch with the foreign heads of state.
Former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa Awarded
In the evening, the new President awarded Former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa the Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty.
This is one of the highest distinctions in Portugal. It recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the defense of values of the civilization, and in support of human dignity and freedom.
Today, March 10th marks the 1st working day of President António José Seguro. The program for António José Seguro’s inauguration continues this Tuesday in Porto, Guimarães and Arganil, with different visits and activities.
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