In a traditional Christmas message, Berta Nunes noted that the country is approaching a “fundamental moment for democracy”.
“In January, the Portuguese voted in the elections to the Assembly of the Republic. It is very important that the voters abroad, who are an important part of Portugal, exercise their right to vote, which shows that they are present and take note of their choices and their vision of Portugal.”
The Secretary of State praised the automatic registration of immigrants, considering it “a very important step, as it expands the world of voters to about 1.5 million.”
But he stressed, “there is a long way to go against the abstinence that needs to be done.”
He added, “We depend on this process and on the multiple aspects that relate to the lives of our citizens abroad, with the internal services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the entire diplomatic and consular network.”
Berta Nunes noted that, in 2021, she had resumed “regular visits to Portuguese communities, despite COVID-19”.
“In Angola, the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, Canada, Switzerland, Germany and France I met extraordinary Portuguese and Portuguese women,” he said.
“Their stories, marked by courage and resilience, constitute the collective history of Portuguese communities,” he concluded.
SMM // ACL
Lusa / end
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