**Cavaco Silva**, the former President of Portugal, recently highlighted the political landscape of 1980 during the presentation of a book featuring texts from **Francisco Sá Carneiro**, the founding figure of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). In his remarks, he emphasized how **attacks against Sá Carneiro** by the **Socialist Party (PS)** and the **Communist Party (PCP)** backfired, ultimately strengthening his position and leading to a significant electoral victory for the **Aliança Democrática** (AD).  

### A Look Back at 1980  
Cavaco recalled that despite the **campaigns of slander** directed at Sá Carneiro, the AD not only maintained but **reinforced** its majority in the elections held on **October 5, 1980**. He stated, “The attacks on the Prime Minister resulted in opposite effects to what they expected.” This reflection serves as a reminder of the **strategic importance** of leadership selection in achieving governmental success and addressing national challenges.  

### Political Context  
Interestingly, Cavaco chose not to comment on the current **pre-election campaign** or the situation surrounding the current Prime Minister **Luís Montenegro**. Following the event, both leaders exited together, with Montenegro playfully mentioning, “Until the 6th, if not before,” hinting at an upcoming party anniversary dinner during the ongoing campaign for the **early legislative elections** set for **May 18**.  

Through this historical lens, Cavaco Silva’s insights resonate with today’s political discourse, urging leaders to consider the impact of their strategies and public perceptions.

O antigo Presidente da República Cavaco Silva lembrou hoje que, em 1980, os ataques à pessoa do então primeiro-ministro Sá Carneiro produziram “efeitos contrários” aos pretendidos pela oposição, ...

Cavaco Silva Reflects on 1980 Political Attacks: Lessons for Today’s Leaders

### Lisbon: A Global Hub of the Silk Road

Lisbon gained global significance when Portugal embraced its universalist vocation through the Age of Discoveries. Acting as a **bridge between Europe and Asia**, the city has never lost its **cosmopolitan spirit**.

Talking about the **Silk Road** typically conjures images of the **harsh landscapes of Central Asia** and caravans laden with goods. These routes facilitated not only the exchange of **objects** but also **technologies** and **ideas** across Eurasia for thousands of years. 

The production of silk, a closely-guarded secret of the Chinese for millennia, reached **Olissipo** (ancient Lisbon) around **2,000 years ago**, despite scarce direct contact between the Chinese and Romans. Conversely, the Silk Road also allowed for the introduction of **chariots** into China over **3,500 years ago**. Additionally, the Silk Roads enabled the spread of **religious ideas**, with the near-simultaneous emergence of **Confucianism** in China and **Buddhism** in India, suggesting a cultural exchange that continued with the assimilation of **Buddhist ethics** into **Christian teachings**.

Famous travelers like **Marco Polo** expanded our understanding of this communication network, which has evolved to include maritime routes over the past two millennia, integrating **Japan** into these circuits and facilitating maritime trade between **China** and **India**. By the **14th and 15th centuries**, the Chinese had reached the **eastern coast of Africa**, while Marco Polo returned to Europe aboard a ship that journeyed from **Canton to the Persian Gulf**. 

In the late **15th century**, European access to these routes was limited due to **Mongol** and **Ottoman** control, leading to exorbitant prices for spices and textiles at **Eastern Mediterranean** ports, primarily dominated by **Venice**.

The Portuguese broke this blockade by establishing the **Cape Route** in **1499**. Venice allied with Muslim powers to resist the Portuguese in Southern India, fearing the loss of its monopoly, but ultimately failed. This new route became synonymous with the spice trade but quickly evolved into a segment of the **Silk Road**, with Lisbon serving as the main European entrepot for over a century.

Initially, the holds of ships sailing to India transported primarily spices, but they also carried **Chinese porcelain**, which **King Manuel I** quickly transformed into diplomatic gifts, taking advantage of its exotic appeal. Unlike silk, which was transported by camels, porcelain was abundant in the **Indian Ocean** but scarce in the Mediterranean. Portuguese ships were large and capable of carrying significantly more cargo than those bound for the **Red Sea** and **Persian Gulf**, allowing for a diverse array of Afro-Asian products, including **Persian rugs**, **pearls**, **ivory**, and even exotic animals like elephants and rhinoceroses. 

By the mid-16th century, the Cape Route was revitalizing its trade, with half of the cargo on ships departing for Lisbon consisting of porcelain, soon to be joined by large-scale trade in Indo-Portuguese furniture and sacred art, alongside Persian rugs and precious stones. Ships were transporting goods from all over Asia, from **Persia** to **Japan**. Conversely, products from Lisbon spread throughout Asia.

From **1499** onward, Lisbon was a major European port on the Silk Road, where European products concentrated before heading to Asia, and Asian goods radiated into Europe. Archaeological finds in Lisbon from the late **16th century** reveal large quantities of porcelain, indicating that this once-rare commodity was treated as disposable due to its replaceability. Travelers from the **17th and 18th centuries** noted the exceptional amount of silk visible in Lisbon, which was the only European entrepot on the Chinese coast.

Lisbon’s role as a connector between Europe and Asia allowed for the introduction of unknown animals like the rhinoceros, which was popularized across the continent thanks to **Albrecht Dürer**’s print. The city also reinterpreted unfamiliar objects, like the **fan**, initially a male accessory in Japan but transformed into a fashionable item for women in Lisbon.

By the **16th century**, Lisbon was receiving products from around the globe, solidifying its cosmopolitan identity, rooted in its historical role as a hinge between worlds, a legacy that continues to this day.

Lisboa ganhou dimensão mundial quando o país cumpriu a vocação universalista pelos Descobrimentos. Elo de ligação entre a Europa e a Ásia, a cidade nunca mais perdeu esse cosmopolitismo.

Discovering Lisbon's Historic Role in the Silk Road Trade

### Parliamentary Inquiry on Montenegro's Business Deals Remains in Place

The leader of the Socialist Party (PS), **Pedro Nuno Santos**, is determined to pursue a **parliamentary inquiry** into Prime Minister **Luís Montenegro**'s business dealings in the next legislative session. This decision comes as Montenegro continues to evade **questions and clarifications** regarding the Spinumviva case. During a press briefing, Santos reiterated that if Montenegro fails to provide further clarifications, the inquiry will proceed post-elections.

Santos stated, "If all clarifications were provided before the elections, it might not be necessary to conduct a parliamentary inquiry," but he expressed skepticism about this happening. He emphasized that many questions remain unanswered, asserting, "I see **no willingness** from the current Prime Minister to clarify these matters. Therefore, if nothing changes, the intention for the inquiry **remains**."

The PS has consistently maintained that not all issues related to Spinumviva and its occasional clients, as well as the restructuring plan for the gas station initiated by Montenegro, have been clarified. Unlike parties such as the Left Bloc and Chega, the PS has not posed direct questions to the Prime Minister, opting instead to push for a parliamentary inquiry that was previously announced and would proceed regardless of the government's stability.

In a recent conference, Santos expressed that he has gathered sufficient information to form a **negative judgment** on Montenegro's seriousness and hopes that a parliamentary inquiry won't be necessary. However, he insists that the inquiry's initiation is tied directly to Montenegro's lack of responses.

### Business Leaders Demand Political Stability

In a meeting with the **Confederation of Portuguese Industry (CIP)**, Santos highlighted the need for a **stable political environment** to foster economic transformation, reiterating that having a Prime Minister **shrouded in suspicions** does not help the situation. Business leaders have expressed concerns over the country's governance post-elections and have called for a convergence among major parties to ensure stability.

Santos acknowledged this demand but maintained that any potential agreements should focus on **essential state matters**, such as justice, foreign policy, and defense. He pointed to recent cooperation between the government and PS regarding defense expenditure as a positive example of collaboration.

While he affirms the need for governance, Santos also emphasized the importance of addressing the Spinumviva case and Montenegro's accountability. He remains committed to ensuring that the parliamentary inquiry proceeds if further clarifications are not provided by the Prime Minister by May 18.

In summary, the political landscape remains tense as the PS continues to push for accountability from Montenegro, while business leaders call for stability and collaboration among parties to ensure effective governance in the upcoming elections.

Intenção socialista de um inquérito parlamentar à situação empresarial de Montenegro mantém-se. Pedro Nuno Santos garante que não mudou posição e critica primeiro-ministro "ensombrado em suspeitas". 

Pedro Nuno Santos Stands Firm on Parliamentary Inquiry Amidst Montenegro's Evasion of Answers

### A New Campaign to Rediscover Lisbon

The **Lisbon Tourism Association** (ATL) has launched a new digital campaign titled **“Lisboa, ReclAMO-TE”** featuring the iconic character **Zé Manel Taxista**, played by Maria Rueff, alongside several public figures. This satirical initiative invites Lisbon residents to rediscover their city through humor and nostalgia.

### A Journey Through the City

With a light-hearted tone, the campaign comprises **five episodes** that take locals on a journey across the city, reminding them of its unique charm—from its exceptional light to historic monuments, gardens, and public spaces enhanced by tourism investments.

### Star-Studded Cast

The cast features well-known personalities such as **Carla Andrino, João Baião, Sofia Arruda, Vasco Pereira Coutinho, Irma**, and **Cláudio de Castro**. Together with Zé Manel Taxista, they explore various neighborhoods, sharing experiences and reflections on the authentic Lisbon that exists beyond the tourist hustle.

### A Play on Words

The campaign cleverly plays on the ambiguity of the verb **“reclamar”**, balancing between the constant complaints about tourist pressure and a declaration of love for the city. It challenges residents to see themselves as tourists, reinforcing the idea that Lisbon belongs to its inhabitants.

### A Fresh Approach to Tourism

Produced by **Burson**, “Lisboa, ReclAMO-TE” is available on ATL's digital channels, including **Instagram, YouTube**, and other institutional platforms. This marks a new strategy in promoting domestic tourism, leveraging national talent and satire to win back the hearts of Lisbon's residents.

A campanha digital "Lisboa, ReclAMO-TE", da Associação Turismo de Lisboa, protagonizada por Zé Manel Taxista e figuras públicas, convida os lisboetas a redescobrir a cidade com humor e nostalgia.

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