On the day former president Marcelo starts a new life away from the glare of media cameras, the municipality of Celorico do Basto has taken to social media to thank him for the last 10 colourful years of public service.
Albeit born in Lisbon, Marcelo’s family history is rooted in Celorico do Basto, within the district of Braga. It is there that he has always been filmed and photographed casting his votes (whether in legislative, municipal or even presidential elections).
After a decade “marked by a profound sense of public service”, the northern municipality praises the man it remembers as “the President of Affections”, conceding that for Celorico de Basto, Marcelo will be “our forever president”.
In fact, Marcelo’s family and institutional connections with the borough “have contributed to taking the name of Celorico de Basto beyond frontiers, reinforcing the notoriety and prestige of this territory”, says the text that recalls that Marcelo was president of the municipal assembly there, between 1997 and 2005.
During his time on the municipal assembly, Marcelo “worked closely with the local community, contributing to the strengthening of institutional ties and the enhancement of the municipality” – where the municipal library is named after him.
“Among the various initiatives that marked this journey, we highlight the contribution to strengthening teaching and educational resources in the municipality’s schools, promoting better learning conditions and contributing to the educational success of the school community,” the local authority adds.
The text recalls that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, “for more than a decade, was one of the main drivers of the Book Festival, an initiative that brought several nationally renowned personalities to Celorico de Basto – including writers, politicians, journalists and athletes – contributing significantly to cultural promotion and the municipality’s national profile.”
“The municipality of Celorico de Basto is proud of “our” forever President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa,” the post concludes on a day when the outgoing head of state will also be ‘honoured’ by his successor who equally thanked him early during his own inaugural speech, stressing that “no one could deny the love for Portugal” that Marcelo showed all the way through his two-term mandate.
Source: SIC Notícias/ Facebook
