Portuguese president calls for better distribution of wealth

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said in an official speech on Tuesday to mark Portugal's 1974 carnation revolution that the government had a challenge to "create more wealth and distribute it better," during the next two years in office.

"Portugal is not a perfect country. We have to improve what we want to offer young people," he said at parliament, adding, "the two years and a half that we have left will have to be for more creation of wealth and its better distribution."

Rebelo de Sousa also called on Tuesday for "more transparency, quick and efficient responses" on behalf of the country's political powers in order to avoid populism.

"All structures of the political power, from the top of the state to the public administration, and naturally, courts, should understand that they have to be very transparent, quick and efficient in their response to challenges and appeals, reviewing, reforming and adjusting themselves," he said.

"So-called populism feeds from deficiencies, delays, incompetences and confusion with the economic and social power," Rebelo de Sousa pointed out. Endit