Portugal's Ex-President Reveals the Heavy Toll of a Decade in Crisis
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa opened up about the challenges of his presidency in a candid 2022 interview. Speaking on the Deixar o Mundo Melhor podcast, he described the role as emotionally draining and relentless. His decade in office coincided with major global crises, leaving a lasting mark on his personal life.
Rebelo de Sousa served as Portugal's president from 2016 to 2026, a period dominated by turmoil. The Covid-19 pandemic, the outbreak of war in Ukraine, and an unyielding official schedule defined his years in power. He later admitted the strain had been immense, both professionally and personally.
Under his leadership, Portugal maintained political stability with a centre-right approach. Yet the demands of the role took their toll. In July 2022, he told interviewer Francisco Pinto Balsemão that the presidency had been 'intense' beyond expectation.
His successor, António José Seguro of the Socialist Party, won the February 2026 election. The shift ended a decade of centre-right governance, signalling a new political direction for the country.
Rebelo de Sousa's presidency spanned crises that reshaped Portugal and the world. His reflections highlighted the human cost of leadership during extraordinary times. The transition to Seguro's administration marked the start of a different political era for the nation.
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