Marcelo in "high rotation" left promises of kisses and took São Brás to Belém

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was this afternoon in São Brás de Alportel. It took more than six hours, dozens of selfies, hundreds of “elbows” and thousands of photographs. The President of the Republic visited businessmen, merchants and the Santa Casa da Misericórdia Home, left promises of kisses for his return and took a “radical” gift to the Belém Palace.

It was just after 15 pm when Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrived at Ferox Surfboards, in São Brás de Alportel. Businessman Octávio Lourenço and Algarve surfer Alex Botelho received the President of the Republic.

The enthusiasm of the head of state during this visit to the surfboard factory could not be seen on his face, due to the mask, but the interest in Ferox shown by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was evident in every question – and there were many.

For those who don't know, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa likes to practice bodyboarding. Surfing not really, but Octávio Lourenço gave him a strong incentive: a personalized surfboard.

The new board of the President of the Republic

"It's beautiful!" exclaimed the President, who promised to try it "perhaps on Carcavelos Beach."

Still inside the factory, a group of cyclists who left Chaves five days ago to travel along National Road 2 asked Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for the first of many selfies pm. The president agreed, asked questions and went to his car, not before taking a detour to greet those who, in the distance, saw the apparatus mounted on the Ferox.

After the visit to Ferox, the delegation went to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of São Brás de Alportel. Upon arrival, the mayor Vítor Guerreiro gave the President his cell phone. It was an employee of the municipality who is infected with Covid-19 and with whom, revealed Marcelo, he had already spoken before.

The President asked about his family, also infected with the new virus, gave him a word of hope and went to the institution's patio, where he greeted, one by one, the users, enthusiastic about such an illustrious visit.

Marcelo with Maria da Conceição, 107 years old

Maria da Conceição, who is 107 years old, deserved special attention from the head of state, with whom she spoke and, of course, took another Selfie.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa couldn't kiss the home user, who had already lived during another pandemic, but, invited by the Santa Casa provider to inaugurate the expansion works of that space, he made a promise: «I'll be here to inaugurate, if is president, or to attend the inauguration, if not, the works. At that time, I will give kisses and hugs to Dona Conceição, 108 years old, and to all the boys and girls”, from the nursery, who were also present during the visit of the head of state.

Ti Marquinhas sweets was the next destination on the itinerary. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was rigorously equipped to visit the factory, tasted the delicacies and classified them as «a marvel». An expression that, by the way, the president repeated over and over during the afternoon.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa sometimes improvises in the program of his visits and São Brás de Alportel was no exception. The visit to Casa Memória on the EN2 would be the next stop, but before that, there were many others. All because the head of state insisted on going down the newly opened Avenida da Liberdade and stopping at all – but even all – commercial spaces to greet shopkeepers, customers and, of course, take off selfies.

If the Portuguese are already used to the President of the Republic's way of being, there are foreigners who find it strange that the Head of State, sitting down, drinks a drink. scooter on the terrace.

"Who is it?" ask two Germans, who are also sitting on the terrace of Café Ervilha. "It's the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa," the journalists respond. «It's different, relaxed», they reply minutes before letting themselves be infected and taking a Selfie.

Germans also wanted a photo with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

Photographs, in fact, were a constant throughout the afternoon. The mayor Vítor Guerreiro also made a point of asking to record several moments during the visit and introducing, to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, merchants, businessmen or municipal employees. Always entitled to a photographic record.

But Marcelo doesn't mind the attention and, at times, it's he who looks for those who don't seem to notice the presidential apparatus or those who don't have the courage to approach it.

The Casa Memória da EN2, recently inaugurated, was also visited by the President, who then went to the Municipality of São Brás de Alportel, when some mayors from other municipalities were already waiting for the third to last of the 16 dinners with mayors of the municipalities of the Algarve.

In Paços do Concelho, Marcelo met with the Civil Protection agents, greeted the employees of the municipality, took more photos and received another gift from Vítor Guerreiro.

"It looks like the case of a wine bottle, but it isn't," joked the mayor. «It is the image of our patron saint, São Brás, it is for the museum». "It's beautiful!", replied Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, visibly enthusiastic about the offer.

Six hours after arriving in São Brás de Alportel, dozens of selfies, hundreds of “elbows” and thousands of photographs later, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa entered the restaurant, where he met again with local mayors.

This is followed by Aljezur and Vila do Bispo, in October, the only two municipalities in the Algarve that have not yet been visited by the President of the Republic.

Photos: Nuno Costa|Sul Informação