Lisbon, April 24, 2025 (Lusa) - The PSP police have issued a negative opinion on the initiatives scheduled by far-right movements for Martim Moniz, in Lisbon, on 25 April, the security force announced on Thursday.
In a statement, the PSP justifies the decision, which was communicated to the Lisbon City Council, on the grounds that there are "demonstrations/concentrations taking place at the same time and in the same geographical area" with "distinct and antagonistic ideological aims and positions" and the need to "ensure public order and tranquillity".
The Ergue-te party and the Habeas Corpus movement have announced a "pig on a spit" demonstration to be held in Martim Moniz on Friday afternoon, which is supported by the far-right group 1143, led by Mário Machado.
At the same time, the traditional 25th April celebration parade will take place on Avenida da Liberdade, a few hundred metres away.
The Lisbon City Council (cml) will now decide whether to hold the initiatives in Martim Moniz Square.
Contacted by Lusa on Wednesday, the municipality led by Carlos Moedas indicated that, "as always happens in these cases, the PSP defines the risk assessment and any decisions on security conditions", and it is based on "the opinions of the security forces that the conditions for holding demonstrations in the city are defined".
Initially, the PSP had given a positive opinion to the gathering of far-right activists, but after learning of other antagonistic demonstrations taking place at the same time and place, it decided to carry out a new risk assessment.
In the note released today, the PSP emphasises that although the Constitution provides for the right to assemble and demonstrate, the decree-law that regulates it states that this is only permitted "for purposes that are not contrary to the law, morality, the rights of natural or legal persons and public order and tranquillity".
It explained that "the police have carried out extensive information gathering, particularly through open sources", to "permanently assess the potential risks associated with the initiatives" scheduled for Friday in Lisbon.
"In this sense and taking into account the scheduling of demonstrations/concentrations for the same time and geographical area, some with distinct and antagonistic objectives, designs and ideological positions, the PSP [...] decided to make a statement to the competent Administrative Authority (Lisbon City Council), issuing a negative opinion for the initiatives reported for Praça do Martim Moniz, in Lisbon, with the strict objective of ensuring public order and tranquillity," the security force concluded.
In the statement, the PSP also called on everyone to adopt "correct, legal and legitimate attitudes and behaviour on Friday, [...] respecting the multiplicity and diversity of opinion and thought, so that the celebrations of the 51st anniversary of 25 April can peacefully take place".
IB/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
