Alfredo Cunha
António Rebelo de Sousa
Economist and university professor
Professor, economist, politician and brother of the President of Portugal. António Rebelo de Sousa is, first and foremost, a man with clear and well-defined views. In his piece he makes a point of mentioning that he believes that his party, the PS, will win the next elections. And he leaves a personal note about the future of Portugal’s hatched coalition: the socialists should not repeat alliances with other parties. In addition he also identifies the economic challenges facing the country and the world. And exclusively for Villas&Golfe, he publicly affirms the enormous pride he has in his brother Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Can you identify the biggest economic challenge this year for the world and for the country?
Over the last few years, ‘revisionist’ or radical populist theories have emerged that seek a return to ultra-protectionist policies and that are tolerant of the assertion of autocratic powers. The challenge will lie between the internationalisation of democratic ideals or the return to the nationalist/authoritarian phase of the 1930s. When it comes to our country, the main challenge will be being able to reconcile the European option with the adoption of measures to expand the disposable income of families with the need to carry out the structural reforms that we lack.
How do you think the negotiations will proceed for next year’s State Budget?
I believe that some concessions will be made to the BE and to the PCP in the area usually referred to as ‘short-term social rights’, which will allow the State Budget to be approved. But problems such as the reform to Social Security, the strategic importance of the sea for the Portuguese economy, the need to begin to reverse the current demographic trends of the country will probably not be taken into account.
«The most important thing is to give your very best in every lesson you teach»
Do you believe that the Portuguese will give a vote of confidence to this governmental solution?
To my knowledge, until now, they never have. In the last parliamentary elections, no one clearly explained that it was intended to put this solution to the Portuguese vote. What I do believe is that my party, the PS, will win the elections and the way I see it they shouldn’t repeat the experience. In other words, I think favouring alliances with anti-democratic forces, as is the case with the Marxist-Leninist parties, is not reconcilable with social democracy and democratic socialism.
You are a professor, worthy of great esteem from your students. Is the art of teaching easier or harder nowadays than when you started teaching?
It is different. Today, teachers have more means in their grasp. Interests and mentalities have changed. The most important thing is to give your very best in every lesson you teach, passing on not only knowledge, but also values that can guide the students in the path they intend to take in the future.
As for your brother’s performance, would you say that, apart from the family tie that unites you, he has managed to be the president of all the Portuguese?
At the time of his election I made a commitment not to comment on his performance as president while still performing the functions for which he was elected. But for Villas&Golfe, I make an exception, just to say that I am very proud of him, for the superb way he has been serving his term in office.
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Editorial Team
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