Lawmakers yesterday passed a motion by lawmaker-cum-unionist Jose Pereira Coutinho to express the legislature’s deep sorrow over the demise of former Portuguese president Mário Soares who passed away in Lisbon on January 7, aged 92.
According to the Legislative Assembly Procedure Rules, lawmakers can present a motion to “express a wish”. Article 50 of the rules says that the “wishes” a lawmaker can express concern congratulations, condolences, greetings, praise, objection and censure.
Coutinho’s motion was passed by 13 lawmakers, with five lawmakers opposing it, while two lawmakers abstained from voting. A total of 12 legislators were absent and, as is customary, the speaker of the legislature did not vote.
Lawmaker-cum-unionist Jose Pereira Coutinho speaks during yesterday’s plenary session in the legislature’s hemicycle. Photo: Tony Wong
