Democracy and the Constitution Debated at Lusófona University

Lusófona University - Lisbon University Centre marked, on 20 October, the 200th anniversary of the Constitutional Charter of 1826 and the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, with a gathering that brought together academics, legal experts and representatives of political life to reflect on the evolution of Portuguese constitutionalism and the current challenges facing democracy.

The event featured contributions from Lusófona University lecturers Luís Cabral de Moncada, Teresa Moraes Sarmento and José de Faria Costa, alongside figures including José João Abrantes, former President of the Constitutional Court, Jorge Bacelar Gouveia, José Lamego and Brazilian constitutional law expert José Carlos Buzanello. The meeting was also attended by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Carlos Abreu Amorim.

Throughout the session, participants reflected on the importance of legal certainty, the protection of fundamental rights and the role of the Constitution in consolidating Portuguese democracy.

In his address, Carlos Abreu Amorim highlighted “democracy” and “freedom” as the two words that best convey the significance of the 1976 Constitution, emphasising the importance of continuing to defend the values it enshrines:

“Freedom is something fragile, something that can slip through our fingers at any moment. What was achieved with the 1976 Constitution is extremely important, but it is also important to fight for it, to fight for its development and for the lasting preservation of its fundamental principles and values, so that one day we do not lose it.”

The meeting concluded with a reflection on the importance of preserving the principles of the 1976 Constitution and continuing to debate its role in addressing the challenges facing society today.

Video (Coverage)
Diogo Machado and Rodrigo Esteves

Video (Editing)
Diogo Machado

Text
Rodrigo Esteves