Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was speaking at the Association of the Portuguese Community of Pretoria, at the end of the celebrations for the Day of Portugal in South Africa, which began on Monday, in Cape Town, and also passed through Johannesburg.
The head of state spoke on stage and addressed the Portuguese emigrants and Portuguese descendants present in the room: "We are the biggest and best country in the world".
"We were the first in Europe to cross the oceans and touch every continent" he continued.
The President of the Republic pointed out that Portuguese is "the second most spoken language in the southern hemisphere, the second most used language in digital, the fifth most used language in the world", with a "community of Portuguese official language in all the continents bathed by all the oceans".
The President of the Republic portrayed Portuguese emigrants as part of "a very old history", with "a very defined identity", who are "creating Portugal every day", wherever they are.
Ask the portuguse people the same question!!!!!
By F from Porto on 09 Jun 2023, 06:28
And if you believe it yourself then it is not a lie.
By Tom from Lisbon on 09 Jun 2023, 06:48
Stuck in a jurassic past.... no wonder it never becomes a real European country.
By k from Other on 09 Jun 2023, 07:13
Portugal is a progressive country and the people along with the culture are amazing. Portugal is the best country in the world. Many other countries can learn from us and anyone who says differently is simply jealous and or racist!
By Lisa from Other on 09 Jun 2023, 21:10
Not to be discriminatory or anything, but if some people aren't happy or don't like Portugal, why don't they go and live somewhere else? Seems like there's always the same frustrated people on here.
By Edmund from Lisbon on 09 Jun 2023, 22:45
He's right ,,,,,,if you're a sleazy polititician or banker
By John from Alentejo on 10 Jun 2023, 05:41
Great country, however how can you be the best in the world when the healthcare system is a mess! Especially first aid in hospitals. Ask the Portuguese people, they will confirm. Sad and tragic!!!
By Liz from Algarve on 10 Jun 2023, 08:31
Bragging about one's past empire is not admirable. That's why Portuguese, like English, (from the UK's empire) is spoken by former enslaved colonies. Besides, many people around the world agree that 'home' is the best place in the world. Hopefully 'the best place in the world' is within one's own heart and home.
By Alice from Lisbon on 10 Jun 2023, 18:59
As long as you are not on the run and living at a secret address due to a violent neighbour - and no one does anything to help.
By Orla Dargan from Algarve on 12 Jun 2023, 07:57
Thank you Alice...
By Joe from Alentejo on 12 Jun 2023, 08:06
And all the others that did chose to live in Portugal and despite everything they have a lot fiscal benefits and continue trashing the country and disrespecting even insulting the country and their people that did receive them my advice if not happy then move out .
By Isabel Oliveira from Lisbon on 12 Jun 2023, 15:04