Portuguese president launches book, donates 45,000 euros to celebrate one year in office

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa launched a book "One year Later" to mark a year in office on Tuesday, which details his journey since announcing his candidacy, adding that he would donate money.

During the ceremony at the presidential palace in Belem, Lisbon, Rebelo de Sousa said he would donate 45,000 euros (48,300 U.S. dollars) left over from his presidential campaign to an institution of social solidarity in Cinfaes, Viseu, around 290 km north of Lisbon.

The president said there was a very poor economic situation in the area. The donation also will go to a school in Mogadouro, Braganca, around 450 km north of Lisbon.

The institution will receive 20,000 euros to buy a van for home support and the school will receive 25,000 euros for the installation of a physical and chemical science laboratory, he announced.

Rebelo de Sousa also thanked the Portuguese, and said he was grateful they trust him. "That is the only reason for my mandate," he said.

He said he had never imagined a year ago that in his first year in office that Antonio Guterres would be elected the next UN chief or Portugal would win European Championship.

Rebelo de Sousa also admitted he thought it was "practically impossible" to reach the country's current public deficit -- which reached 3 percent in the last quarter of 2016.

Rebelo de Sousa was elected in January 2016 by winning 52 percent with 99 percent of votes counted.

He pledged to be impartial and create more convergence following a deep economic crisis. Since his taking power, the country has enjoyed stability.

The Portuguese authorities have insisted on turning the page on austerity and diverted from far right populism. (1 euro = 1.07 U.S. dollars) Endit