Well, it’s not exactly the English translation of the name Pedro Passos Coelho, who became prime Minister of Portugal overnight, but it’s close enough. Overturning the six years of the Socialist Party (PS) under José Sócrates (who, in spite of his name was not the greatest of thinkers that European has seen) Sr Coelho has a tough challenge ahead of him. Let’s hope his tenure as leader of the country will amount to more than a bedtime story.
Reading a little of his profile, he represents a significant part of Portuguese society that has a particular significance in recent history of the country. Growing up in Angola in the 70’s, he is one of the “Retornados” - European whites displaced through the colonial wars where were the backdrop to a Portugal’s Carnation Revolution of 1975. They came back to a Portugal that, to a large extent, they didn’t really own, and that didn’t really own them. There isn’t really an equivalent within the recent colonial history of other European countries. though perhaps the experience of white Zimababweans forced to find a different future outside of their adopted country, but then again perhaps not.
The “Retornados” have a unique story to tell and the stories vary from person to person. Some have found it easier than others, and have assimilated well into the fabric of Portuguese society, like our new Prime Minister. For others, it’s taken a huge toll and a generation on, families are still coming to terms with the trauma of being uprooted and landing in Lisbon with no possessions, no land, and no prospects. Well remember sitting in the modest home of one such family, radiant in their Christian faith, and sharing Sunday lunch with them, while listening to their story of leaving Mozambique, moving to South Africa, then to Portugal, losing a father and husband, and still struggling even now to makes end meet on a daily basis and make a life for themselves here.
No comments:
Post a Comment