Portugal is paying tribute to Francisco Pinto Balsemão, a former prime minister, media entrepreneur, and founder of Expresso newspaper and national television broadcaster SIC, who died on Tuesday aged 88.
The government has declared two days of national mourning, to be observed this Wednesday and Thursday, following a decree approved by the cabinet and signed by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, according to the prime minister’s office.
Balsemão was a key figure in both Portuguese politics and media. Born in Lisbon in 1937, Balsemão studied law but pursued journalism, founding Expresso in 1973 under the Estado Novo dictatorship – a bold move that established a platform for independent thought. After the 1974 Carnation Revolution, he co-founded the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) with Francisco Sá Carneiro and Magalhães Mota, which later became the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
He succeeded Sá Carneiro as prime minister in 1981, leading two governments until 1983. Later, in 1992, he launched SIC, Portugal’s first private television network, and the Impresa media group.
Until his death, he remained a member of the Council of State, an advisory body to the President of the Republic.
Tributes pour in
The Portuguese Press Association (API) has expressed “deep sorrow” at his passing, calling him “a lawyer by training, a journalist by vocation and a leading businessman.” The association praised his lifelong defence of press freedom and noted that he received its Career of Excellence Award in 2023 for his “decisive influence on generations of media professionals.”
Internationally, tributes also came from Viscount Rothermere, chairman of the Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), where Balsemão served as a non-executive director from 2002 to 2017.
“Francisco was an extraordinary man who, in many ways, represented the journey his country has taken over the last century,” Rothermere told Lusa news agency.
In his words, he described Balsemão as “extremely intelligent and independent, as well as wise and kind”.
“He never let adversity get in his way, but faced challenges as a way to grow and succeed as a person and in business,” he continued.
“He was a very loyal friend, whose advice was always sincere, intelligent and wise” and “loved life, lived it to the fullest and enjoyed the company of others who shared the same vision,” the Daily Mail chairman added.
