It was, possibly, one of the most striking speeches of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April, despite having come from abroad. In a video released last Wednesday, April 24, Emmanuel Macron praised the importance of the 25th of April in the European democratic path, recalling that “today’s Europe owes a lot” to the courage of the then young “captains of April”, who “ they expressed the hope of an entire people in peace and democracy.” “They weren’t even thirty years old and they were already heroes. Today’s Europe owes much to his courage,” said Macron.
“Tomorrow (Thursday), we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution. I would like to join our friends in Portugal, the Portuguese in France and all our compatriots of Portuguese origin to celebrate this anniversary, which is so important for democracy in Europe”, stated the French head of state.
On the same occasion, Macron recalled Portuguese personalities who fought for democracy, such as Maria Isabel Barreno, Maria Teresa Horta and Maria Velho da Costa, who fought for women’s rights, as well as Mário Soares, Álvaro Cunhal and Emídio Guerreiro, who took refuge in France before the revolution, having returned to Portugal after April 25, 1974.
Currently, the two countries share “secular ties”, prepare the future of the European Union and defend the causes that determine the future, sharing “the same vision of a free, democratic and fair world”, defended the French President.
“We owe it to the memory of the ‘captains of April’ and to the Portuguese people who, fifty years ago, stood up against injustice and poverty and won the admiration of France, Europe and the world with a red carnation in their hand”, said Macron, ending his message in Portuguese: “April 25th, always! Long live Portugal! Thank you to Portugal!“
