Passos Coelho will be joining European leaders in Paris tomorrow for a massive show of support for the victims of this week’s terror attacks.
Flying to the French capital with parliamentary leader Assunção Esteves and European affairs secretary Bruno Maçães, the trio will be representing Portugal alongside German chancellor Angela Merkel, Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy, English Conservative leader David Cameron, President of the European Jean-Claude Juncker, and Italian and Polish prime ministers Matteo Renzi and Donald Tusk.
The so-called “Eu sou Charlie” Unity Rally has been called by leaders of France’s left-wing parties, with “invitations extended to republican parties, unions and cultural and religious associations”, writes Expresso this morning.
Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend, and all will be encouraged to carry “Je suis Charlie” placards in memory and support of the journalists and cartoonists who were gunned down by Islamist extremists in the name of freedom of expression.
President Hollande has asked his European colleagues to take part in what he called a march “in defence of liberty and tolerance”.
It starts at 3pm tomorrow in Place de la République.
natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
