Portuguese President Addresses Youth and Corruption

The President of Portugal delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of active participation in democracy, particularly for young people. The proposal suggests that officials should publicly declare not only their own income but also the wealth of spouses and relatives to prevent conflicts of interest. The demand aims to move beyond simple income declarations to a more comprehensive disclosure of family assets. This follows a legal ruling involving Daniel Adrião, a former PS leadership candidate expelled in late 2025, who successfully challenged a decision by the Constitutional Court regarding his independent candidacy in Lisbon. Twenty-five young people from across Portugal met with President António José Seguro to present proposals and questions. The discussion focused on issues including institutional distrust, disinformation, and territorial inequalities within the country. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa promised to give voice to younger generations and implement their ideas following a meeting with youth representatives. The President noted he would keep records of the proposals, similar to a previous meeting held on March 9. He said the importance of providing space for new ideas to ensure active civic participation. The President said the importance of giving the new generation a voice and ensuring their ideas lead to practical consequences. A portion of his address was directed towards young people, highlighting their role in securing Portugal's future and ensuring that freedom is not weakened or lost. The President also invited young individuals to engage in dialogue about these issues.