LISBON, March 9 (Bernama-Xinhua) — Antonio Jose Seguro was sworn in as Portugal’s new president on Monday during a ceremony at the Assembly of the Republic, formally beginning his mandate after winning the country’s presidential runoff election, reported Xinhua.
Seguro, the centre-left candidate backed by the Socialist Party, took the oath of office before lawmakers in Lisbon.
In his remarks, Seguro said that after “a cycle of three elections and four trips to the polls in just nine months,” Portugal now has “a golden opportunity” to pursue “lasting solutions” during what he described as a new three-year period without national elections.
Seguro won the presidential election by defeating Chega party leader Andre Ventura by a wide margin in the second round of voting held on Feb. 8.
The Portuguese president serves a five-year term and may be re-elected once.
While the presidency is largely ceremonial, it carries important constitutional responsibilities, including appointing the prime minister, dissolving parliament and vetoing legislation.
The president also plays a key role as a political moderator during periods of institutional tension.
–BERNAMA-XINHUA