Durão Barroso: Patriotism and Portugal’s European Duty
Former Portuguese Prime Minister and European Commission President Durão Barroso has called for a renewed “sense of national community,” urging Portugal to embrace a patriotism rooted in love for the country rather than the exclusion of others.
Speaking at the PSD/CDS-PP coalition parliamentary conferences in Cascais, Barroso addressed the delicate balance between national identity and global integration. “We have a duty to strengthen the feelings of national community, which some are trying to call into question,” he stated. “Patriotism is not nationalism; nationalism is the hatred of others, while patriotism is the love of what is ours.”
A Global Vocation: From the Atlantic to Lusophony
Barroso emphasized that Portugal’s strength lies in its unique geopolitical position. He urged the government not to neglect its “Atlantic vocation” and to maintain its deep ties with Portuguese-speaking nations. To illustrate the closeness of the Lusophone world, Barroso shared an anecdote from a past World Cup match between Cape Verde and Spain.
“A Spanish friend was disappointed that Portuguese fans were rooting for Cape Verde,” Barroso recounted to a laughing audience. “I told him: ‘You have to understand one thing—you Spaniards are our brothers, but they are our children.’”
The “Trump Effect” and European Responsibility
Turning his focus to international affairs, Barroso addressed the influence of Donald Trump on global discourse. Regardless of personal feelings toward the U.S. President, Barroso argued that Trump has fundamentally “changed the grammar of politics.” However, he warned European leaders against using the U.S. administration as an excuse for their own stagnation.
“It is very easy today to say that it’s Trump’s fault,” Barroso said. “But it is not because of Trump that Europe hasn’t finished its internal market, its banking union, or its capital markets union. It’s because we haven’t done our homework.”
He praised Europe’s recent steps toward taking greater responsibility for defense and security, citing the “Europeanization of NATO” and a stronger commitment to supporting Ukraine as necessary shifts in the continent’s maturity.
Challenges for the Media and Government
The conference also featured a panel with journalist Miguel Sousa Tavares, who challenged the coalition deputies to stop relying on political “buzzwords” and start clearly explaining the impact of their reforms to the public.
Hugo Soares, the PSD parliamentary leader, acknowledged the need for better communication but also called for a stronger, more independent press. He argued that protecting Portuguese journalism requires ensuring journalists are better paid to insulate them from influence and allow them to focus on “people’s problems” rather than “daily fluff.”
Barroso concluded his 40-minute address just ahead of a national football match, receiving a personalized jersey from parliamentary leaders and joking that he was the “last obstacle” between the deputies and the game.
Image: Pexels – Wikimedia Commons
