After a long period with schools closed last year, the return to face-to-face teaching at the beginning of the present school year was a decisive step towards normalizing the teaching/learning process and enhancing the recovery of delays in the previous year. Only in this way was it possible to guarantee that no student would be conditioned in monitoring the subjects taught, contrary to what had happened with a very significant percentage in the previous school year. A school year that the educational community in general evaluated negatively.

The epidemic, having posed new problems, revealed above all the shortcomings and chronic bottlenecks that have been affecting the country for a long time and which require responses. Facing an economic and social crisis like the one underway requires emergency measures, but it is also the time to correct strategic errors and break with a course that has neglected productive activities and heightened external dependence.

A year after the outbreak of the epidemic in Portugal, and despite the advances in science at the service of health, we continue to face a time of great complexities and uncertainties. The health situation has worsened significantly with a negative evolution of the epidemic, which is putting the National Health Service and its professionals under enormous pressure, with consequences in the very significant increase in hospitalisations, particularly in Intensive Care Units.

Good evening, At the end of an election day that took place in such a specific, complex and difficult moment in our collective life, I would like to begin by highlighting the civic example of the thousands of members and workers at the Polling stations who, throughout the country, allowed the organization of this Electoral Act and ensured that it took place smoothly and under conditions that guaranteed the protection of everyone’s health. To all, special greetings and thanks.