Portugal's debate over colonial and slavery reparations has resurfaced after President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa suggested the country should take "full responsibility" for its past abuses. However, the right-of-centre government has dismissed the idea of paying reparations, while the far-right Chega party has condemned the president's comments as a "betrayal of the Portuguese people and its History".
The president's remarks came during a conversation with foreign correspondents, where he was asked about reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, in which Portuguese ships took millions of people from Africa to Brazil, where they were forced to work on plantations. While he didn't mention slavery specifically, he acknowledged Portugal's role in massacres and looting, and suggested the country could "pay the costs" for its past actions.
Brazil's Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco, has called for "concrete actions" to match the president's words, while anti-racist groups and far-left parties have renewed their calls for reparations. However, the government has stated it has no plans to pay reparations, citing a lack of a "process or programme" for such actions.
The debate has sparked a backlash from the far-right, with Chega party leader Andre Ventura condemning the president's comments as "an attack on Portuguese history and identity". The party has announced plans to seek a vote in parliament condemning the president's remarks.
Despite the government's stance, there are signs of a shift in attitudes within Portugal. The previous Socialist government had begun exploring the possibility of returning looted items, and the current minister of culture has expressed support for the idea in the past.
President Rebelo de Sousa's personal connection to the colonial era – his father was governor of Mozambique and later minister for the colonies – gives him a unique perspective on the issue. His comments have been seen as an attempt to confront Portugal's troubled past and take responsibility for its actions.
The debate over reparations is not new, but it has gained momentum in recent years as countries around the world grapple with the legacy of colonialism and slavery. Portugal's role in the transatlantic slave trade and its colonial era abuses have long been acknowledged, but the question of reparations remains a contentious issue.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Portugal will take concrete steps towards making amends for its past. The president's comments have sparked a necessary conversation, and it is now up to the government and parliament to decide how to move forward.
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