The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, considered that the criminal action that Chega intends to file against him for "treason" highlights the difference between democracy and dictatorship, advances the CNN Portugal.

"I will not speak about this, beyond what I have already said, which is to say that we live in a democracy", stated Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in response to journalists, at the Belém Cultural Centre, in Lisbon.

"And democracy has the difference in relation to dictatorship, which is freedom of expression of thought, freedom of thought. Freedom of thought for everyone, to agree, to disagree, whether they hold political positions or not", he added.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stressed that just as "the ordinary citizen has this freedom", so too "the holders of sovereign bodies have this freedom" - as is his case.

According to the Lusa agency, Marcelo refused to answer whether he considers himself defamed by the president of Chega, André Ventura, who has repeatedly accused him of "treason". Asked if he could take any action against Chega or against André Ventura in particular, the President of the Republic said he had "nothing more to say" on this matter beyond what he has already said.

Recall that the President of the Republic, during a dinner with foreign correspondents in Portugal, stated that the country has "to pay the costs". "Are there actions that have not been punished and those responsible have not been arrested? Are there goods that have been looted and have not been returned? Let's see how we can fix this", stated Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, quoted by the Lusa agency.

At the same event, Rebelo de Sousa said that Portugal "assumes full responsibility" for the mistakes of the past and recalls that these crimes, including the colonial massacres, had costs.

The president of Chega, André Ventura, announced on Tuesday that the party will propose that Parliament proceed with a criminal action against Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Previously, Chega's parliamentary group met with a group of jurists and law professors to assess the possibility of opening a criminal action against the President of the Republic.

The measure will have to be approved by the Assembly of the Republic, requiring the approval of 153 deputies (one third of Parliament). The PS and PSD have already announced that they will vote against the proposal.

Read Also: "Treason". Chega advances with proposal for criminal action against Marcelo (Portuguese version)