Portuguese President Seguro calls pensions sacred during Viana do Castelo visit
President António José Seguro stated on Saturday that pensions in Portugal are sacred, clarifying that legislative changes to social security fall under the authority of Parliament or the government.
Presidential visit to Viana do Castelo
President António José Seguro visited the northern city of Viana do Castelo on Saturday, 22 August 2026. The head of state joined the Historical and Ethnographic Parade, a central part of the annual Romaria d'Agonia festivities. Thousands of people gathered along Avenida dos Combatentes in the city centre to watch the event and follow the proceedings. Spectators greeted the president with applause as he walked through the Minho city's central streets. Seguro walked along the avenue, greeting local residents and festival attendees who were gathered in the area.
Direct engagement on pension concerns
During his walk through Avenida dos Combatentes, the head of state was approached directly by a member of the public. The citizen raised personal worries regarding the status and future of their retirement pension. Journalists covering the presidential visit subsequently questioned the head of state on whether any alterations to pension legislation were currently anticipated. The interaction in Viana do Castelo brought social security rules into the public exchange during the cultural gathering. Seguro took questions from the gathered reporters on the street to address the citizen's inquiry.
Institutional competence and pension protections
In his response to reporters, Seguro demarcated the constitutional limits of the presidency regarding the pension system. The head of state reminded reporters that competence over any modifications to pension legislation belongs solely to the Parliament or the Government. He clarified that the presidency in Belém does not initiate or implement changes to social security statutes. In the same response, Seguro delivered a direct characterisation of retirement rights in Portugal.
As you know, that is up to Parliament or up to the Government. Now, pensions in Portugal are sacred.
The remarks concluded the exchange with reporters as the head of state continued his walk among the crowds attending the Romaria d'Agonia.
