Francisco Pinto Balsemão, former Prime Minister of Portugal in the 1980s, founder of the PPD-PSD and the Impresa group, of which Expresso is part, died this Tuesday. A determining figure in public and political life, marked by his dedication to the cause of freedom and freedom of information. He was lawyer, journalist and businessman. He was 88 years old.
Pinto Balsemão was born in Lisbon on September 1, 1937, the son of a family with roots in Guarda and a business and journalistic tradition. He graduated in Law from the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon. From an early age he became involved in the world of the press, acquiring journalistic experience at Mais Alto magazine and, later, at the weekly and morning newspaper Diário Popular. In 1973, he founded the weekly Expresso, which would become one of the most prestigious newspapers in the country, especially relevant in the period of democratic transition. Later, in the television sector, he was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the private station SIC – Sociedade Independente de Comunicação, in 1992. As main executive and shareholder of Grupo Impresa, he became a central figure in the Portuguese media, defending press freedom as an “essential condition for a democratic society”.
The decorations awarded to him are numerous, including the Grand Cross of the Orders of Infante D. Henrique and of Liberty, awarded by the current President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa — on the 50th anniversary of Expresso.
Politically, he was part of the group of young liberals who, even before the Revolution of 25 April, assumed a prominent role in the “Liberal Wing” of the National Assembly. In 1974, he was one of the founders of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), having been the number 1 activist. On January 9, 1981, he assumed the position of Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic (VII Constitutional Government), having remained in the position until June 1983. During his mandate, he participated in the negotiation of decisive dossiers for the country, namely in the process of accession to the European Economic Community and in the constitutional review of 1982, which definitively removed the Council of the Revolution.
Francisco Pinto Balsemão represented the convergence between journalism, business initiative and public policy. His vision was to promote freedom of information, modernize the media and contribute to the consolidation of Portuguese democracy. As CEO and mentor of media projects, he transformed the press and television landscape in Portugal, opening space for plurality and critical independence.
Recognized for the firmness of his convictions, but he was also described as a man of dialogue, with a moderate stance, aware of the importance of freedom and the limits of power, both in journalism and in political practice, Francisco Pinto Balsemão was one of the great protagonists of Portuguese public life in recent decades. His career is a testimony of service to journalism, business, politics and society and leaves us a solid legacy of freedom of expression, commitment to modernization and independence of spirit.
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