The nation’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, declared last week that the nation should atone for its “crimes” related to the slave trade and other wrongdoings of the colonial past. This sparked a heated debate concerning the country’s involvement in these crimes.
The far-right Chega party is planning to seek a vote in parliament denouncing the president and his remarks, which it said “undoubtedly represent a betrayal of the Portuguese people and its history.” But the idea was shot down by the right-of-center government, which is led by a party that Mr. de Sousa once led.
During a comprehensive discussion with international reporters, the president was questioned about the necessity of reparations.
