Portugal’s parliament today is holding a solemn session to mark the 50th anniversary of the Constitution – the document which established the fundamental principles of the country’s democratic regime, on April 2, 1976.
The ceremony follows the traditional format of the annual April 25, 1974 (Revolution) commemorations, featuring speeches from the country’s president, António José Seguro, the speaker of parliament, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, and representatives from the various political parties.
Several high-ranking institutional figures are expected to be take part, including prime minister Luís Montenegro and government ministers, former heads of state and previous government leaders, past speakers of parliament, the Supreme Court of Justice and the Constitutional Court’s presidents, representatives from the “25 de Abril” and “Salgueiro Maia” associations.
An official parliamentary source tells Lusa that 95 former MPs have also been invited.
On April 2 50 years ago, the 250 MPs of the Constituent Assembly approved the Constitution, with the support of the PS, PPD, PCP, MDP/CDE, UDP, and ADIM, while only the CDS voted against, resulting from 132 plenary sessions and 327 meetings held by 12 special committees.
The Constitution came into force on April 25, 1976, establishing the fundamental principles of the current democratic system, such as the separation of powers and universal suffrage, fundamental rights, including the right to life, freedom of expression, housing, healthcare, and education.
The document has undergone seven revisions since its inception, varying from structural overhauls to technical adjustments for international treaties.
This week, CHEGA announced plans to propose a new constitutional review this month, including the introduction of life imprisonment and a reduction in the number of MPs.
For the first time in Portuguese democratic history, parties ‘of the right’ hold enough seats to pass constitutional amendments without requiring support from the left.
Source: Lusa
