the Portuguese political landscape saw a important gathering on January 9th, 2026, amidst the unfolding drama of a presidential election campaign and international crises. This meeting of the Council of State occurred as two prominent figures, Luís Marques Mendes and André ventura, actively campaigned for the presidency, scheduled for January 18th. Together, the recent U.S. intervention in Venezuela, culminating in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, added another layer of complexity too the discussions.
Lasting over three hours, the Council of State convened just two months before the inauguration of the next President of the Republic, marking the end of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s two terms in office. This timing underscores the importance of addressing critical issues before a change in leadership.
According to a statement released by the Presidential website, The Council of State, meeting under the presidency of His Excellency the President of the Republic, today, January 9th, analyzed the international situation, particularly in Venezuela and Ukraine
. Though, specific conclusions from the meeting were not publicly disclosed.
President rebelo de Sousa initiated the meeting primarily due to concerns surrounding Ukraine, particularly following the Prime Minister’s announcement in Kyiv regarding Portugal’s potential contribution of troops to a future multinational force. He subsequently broadened the agenda to include the volatile situation in Venezuela. Ukraine is a fundamental theme in our lives, in the life of the world and in the life of Europe and the World. It doesn’t seem sensible to me that when essential decisions about Ukraine are being made, I discuss them in the National Defense Council and not in the Council of State?
the President argued, emphasizing the need for comprehensive consultation.
President Rebelo de Sousa aimed for the advisory body to assess Europe’s financial support for Ukraine, recognizing the long-term debt implications for member states. He also sought their input on potential Portuguese military involvement in a future ceasefire scenario. It’s not very natural for the President of the Republic to leave office without the Council of State, with its current composition, being able to assess this matter
, he explained, justifying the meeting’s scheduling.
Prior to Christmas, while speaking in Barreiro, the President, nearing the end of his tenure, revealed he had waited over six months for the Assembly of the Republic to elect the five State Councilors for the current legislature. The original election date of December 19th was postponed following the presidential elections.
the Assembly of the Republic experienced an unprecedented delay in appointing its five members to the Council of State,a process that historically occurred within the
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