Sócrates right to bring Portuguese divorce law into line with modern expectations

20 August 2008

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today praised the efforts of the Portuguese Socialist Party – and Prime Minister José Sócrates – to modernize Portugal’s divorce laws – and slammed conservative President Cavaco Silva for vetoing it.

“Blame-free divorces are a standard feature of modern, European societies. Marriage and divorce are questions of individual choice. No-one should be trapped in a marriage that they do not want. It is a fundamental principle. He is simply standing in the way of progress. I give my full support to the PS and Prime Minister José Sócrates in his efforts to bring Portuguese social law into line with modern expectations.”

“We have seen the same types of fight in Spain and in other European countries including at the EU level. Social Democrats and Socialists fighting for better rights and a fairer society and the right doing all they can to stop it. It is important that voters see what is going on.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, 1050 Brussels
Mobile +32 486 117 394