Portugal: President proposes declaration of state of emergency to parliament – Watch

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Portugal: President proposes declaration of state of emergency to parliament – Watch

7:50 CAT | 18 Mar 2020

Photo: TVI24

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has on Wednesday proposed to Parliament the declaration of a state of emergency in Portugal due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The announcement was made by the Presidency, on the website, after a meeting of the Council of State by videoconference, from the Belém Palace in Lisbon, which began at 10:15, and after receiving the positive opinion of the Government.

In the same note, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa informs that he will send a reasoned message to Parliament for the declaration of the state of emergency and the preliminary draft with the necessary measures “to contain the spread of Covid-19 disease”.

Prime Minister Antonio Costa said that the government agreed with the president on the need for the drastic measure in order to save lives and guarantee supplies of essential goods.

Parliament is expected to swiftly confirm the presidential decree in what would be the first time the country has declared a state of emergency nationwide in 46 years of democratic history.

Such a measure can allow the authorities to restrict movement of people, temporarily requisition businesses, suspend the right to strike and restrict meetings and protests.

If lawmakers give the green light to the presidential decree on Wednesday afternoon, ministers will then meet on Thursday to approve the exact measures, Costa said, adding the state of emergency will kick off soon after it.

According to Portuguese law, a state of emergency can only be declared in the face of an “imminent” or “serious threat” and is limited to 15 days but can be extended indefinitely in 15-day periods if deemed necessary.

Armed forces can be used to enforce the measures.

“Our priority is to save lives but to save lives it is essential that life continues,” Costa told a news conference. “Essential goods must continue to be ensured (during the state of emergency).”

“We are facing a pandemic which will certainly last for months,” Costa added, appealing for “serenity, calm, and trust”.

Portugal has 642 confirmed cases of the virus so far, with two reported deaths.

#Coronavirus: Pela primeira vez, um Conselho de Estado à distância. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa ouve hoje os seus conselheiros sobre a eventual declaração do estado de emergência. Mais aqui: https://t.co/w9Pkyprt5e pic.twitter.com/zzdUw3pB13

— Público (@Publico) March 18, 2020

Enquanto estava na aula, foi declarado o estado de emergência em Portugal. https://t.co/OueZ8zekio

— 😷 Ya volverán los abrazos (@4samirexss) March 18, 2020