José Maria Neves was speaking in Lisbon during the commemorative session of the 50th anniversary of April 25, 1974, which was attended by heads of state of former Portuguese colonies.

"At the dawn of the 21st century, signs are emerging that naturally arouse much concern. There is a feeling that democracy is being eroded, there is an effective setback and serious threats", he said.

For José Maria Neves, "globalization has led to the impoverishment and compression of the middle class in developed countries and to the increase in inequalities between and within different countries".

"On the other hand, there has been an increase in social and political polarization - consensus is increasingly difficult - the weakening of institutions that are important instruments of mediation between the State and society and prominent participants in the formation of public policies", he said.

And he added that there is still "a clear inability of governments to respond to the complexity of political ecology and to the demands and requirements of citizens and civil society".

"If in developed countries such a framework has made possible the spread of populism, nationalism, xenophobia, racism, the repudiation of immigrants, and has fueled the crisis of political parties, the preaching of anti-politics and anti-liberalism, as well as negationist theses, the dissemination of 'fake news' and hate speech, in poor countries, where institutions are weaker, has resulted in constitutional ruptures and the assumption of power by the military", he noted.

For the Cape Verdean head of state and former prime minister, "there is a noticeable disenchantment and a degeneration of traditional political parties, politics and politicians".

"Voters are increasingly skeptical about the health of their democracies and question whether their governments were elected transparently", he continued.

For José Maria Neves, "with the Carnation Revolution, a new era began, very much in line with the dream of Amílcar Cabral, whose centenary [of birth] is being celebrated this year".

"Once independence was achieved, the most solid and special relations of friendship and cooperation should be built between these new countries and democratic Portugal. It is good that the clock of history has advanced and a new era has begun, with mutual will, unfortunately not very common in these times, to continuously strengthen relations".

"Half a century after this fantastic historical event, we all have reasons to be proud and comforted. A regime that oppressed everyone fell and new sovereign states were born", he said.

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