Portugal's President de Sousa to address Parliament on Wednesday noon

Portugal’s new President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, elected on 24 January 2016, will deliver a speech in the European Parliament on Wednesday at 12.00. The 30th anniversary of Portugal's EU i membership, the migration and refugee crisis and the current terrorism challenges are expected to be among the topics addressed. Portugal joined the European Communities on 1 January 1986.

Parliament's President Martin Schulz i will welcome the Portuguese President at 11.15 at the protocol entrance of the Louise Weiss i building. They will have a bilateral meeting before the formal sitting in the hemicycle, which will start at 12.00.

After the formal address, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and President Martin Schulz will hold a joint press point.

You can watch the formal sitting via EP Live andEbS+

Background

Professor of Law Mr Rebelo de Sousa won the presidential elections with 52% of the votes in the first ballot, on 24 January 2016. He started his five year mandate on 9 March.

He was one of the founders of the People’s Democratic Party, later the Social Democratic Party (PSD, member of the EPP group), and party leader from 1996 to 1999. Apart from his political and governmental positions, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was also involved in founding the Portuguese newspapers Expresso and Semanário. He has been a regular political commentator since the 1960s, first in newspapers and later on radio and television.

REF. : 20160407IPR21809

Updated: ( 12-04-2016 - 16:12)