At the centre of the Armed Forces’grievance is what they perceive to have been Defence Minister Azeredo Lopes’ comments and interference in recent days, which culminated in the resignation of Chief of Army Carlos Jerónimo.

Late last week, Portugal’s Chief of Army Carlos Jerónimo tendered his resignation to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa after comments by one of his staff over the exclusion of gay students at the military college.
This came after Minister of Defence Azeredo Lopes reacted strongly to these views, and demanded an immediate explanation from the Chief of Army.
Instead he was met with a request to quit the post, which was immediately accepted.
In an official statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, it thanked General Carlos Jerónimo for his services and said that his replacement would be announced in due course.
But this has not appeased high-ranking officials in the country’s Armed Forces.
The 25 April Association, which consists of veterans who inspired the 1974 Revolution, has since called on generals to refuse to occupy the position vacated by Carlos Jerónimo.
“The most desirable outcome is that the generals who are invited decline the offer”, Colonel Vasco Lourenço was quoted in i newspaper earlier this week.
“Unfortunately, what has happened is not normal, let’s see what happens”, he said, adding: “I will be congratulating General Carlos Jerónimo on his attitude, criticising that of the minister, and express my concern.”
This was followed by comments from Colonel Manuel Pereira Cracel who revealed that the general resigned because he was reprimanded in public in a situation where caution was required.
“This is not how we do things in the Armed Forces”, the chairman of the Association for Armed Forces officers said.
A high-ranking officer meanwhile told i that protests are being quietly considered and “could even take place during the 25 April commemorations.”
Vasco Lourenço admitted that he has been made aware of the intention to stage protests, while Pereira Cracel said any action was as yet premature.
In an open letter published on Wednesday, Colonel Lourenço said that the former Chief of Army had been a convenient distraction for the government at a time when Culture Minister João Soares quit after threatening to “give a few slaps” to two journalists.
Shortly before going to press, the former Deputy Chief of Army, Garcia Leandro wrote an open letter to Defence Minister Azeredo Lopes warning: “If this procedure is repeated with other chiefs of the military, it is probable that it will be the minister who leaves and not the military chief in question.”
The minister has meanwhile reacted to the rising discontent, saying he never asked for General Carlos Jerónimo to resign.