Portugal and the international community are mourning the passing of Francisco Pinto Balsemão, former Prime Minister of Portugal and founder of the Expresso newspaper and Impresa media group, who died on October 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
His death marks the end of a remarkable career that bridged politics, journalism, and business, leaving a lasting imprint on modern Portuguese democracy and media.
“A visionary, a pioneer, creative, determined, a fighter, a democrat, a social democrat, a European and an Atlanticist… Portugal does not forget him. Portugal will never forget him,” said Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal
Balsemão served as Prime Minister from January 1981 to June 1983, assuming office after the tragic death of Francisco Sá Carneiro (1934-1980). A founder and leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), he guided Portugal through a delicate period of political transition following the 1974 Carnation Revolution.
His government played a pivotal role in revising the 1976 Constitution, promoting press freedom, and contributing to Portugal’s democratic consolidation.
“He transformed the life of the country and brought into political decisions the principles of valuing private initiative, fundamental rights, and access to health, education, mobility, and housing as instruments of human dignity,” remarked Luís Montenegro, Prime Minister of Portugal
Before and after his political career, Balsemão was a relevant figure in Portuguese journalism. As the founder of Expresso in 1973, during the final years of Salazar’s dictatorship, he championed independent reporting and public debate.
Later, as head of Impresa, he built one of Portugal’s most influential media groups, including the television channel SIC, helping to shape the country’s post-revolutionary media landscape. At one point, Impresa included more than 30 newspapers and magazines, television and online channels, and other publishing and printing interests.
Official visit to the United States (1982)
As Prime Minister, Balsemão made an official working visit to the United States from December 14 to 16, 1982, at the invitation of President Ronald Reagan. The visit reaffirmed Portugal’s historic ties with the United States and its role as a key NATO ally.
During meetings at the White House, both leaders discussed defense cooperation, the strategic significance of the Lajes Air Base in the Azores, and joint commitments to democracy and Atlantic security. President Reagan commended Portugal’s democratic progress, while Prime Minister Balsemão emphasized the enduring alliance between Lisbon and Washington.
“The relationship between Portugal and the United States is one of common values, mutual respect, and broad cooperation,” President Regan said.
“We in Portugal look forward to working in close cooperation with the United States and for that effort we count very much on the strong Portuguese American community living and working here in the United States,” Balsemão remarked.
The visit represented a milestone in Portuguese-American relations, underscoring the mutual respect and collaboration that continue to define transatlantic diplomacy.
A state of official mourning has been declared for two days in Portugal in honour of Francisco Pinto Balsemão. His funeral rites included a public wake held at the historic Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Lisbon.
Francisco Pinto Balsemão embodied the values of free expression and civic responsibility. His influence extended from the political sphere to the newsroom, contributing to the pluralism and openness that characterize Portuguese society today. Tributes from across Portugal and abroad describe him as “one of the nation’s most important figures of the past six decades,” whose vision connected political leadership with media integrity and democratic resilience.
PAJ/Staff
