Timeline

Mário Alberto Nobre Lopes Soares is born in Lisbon. Son of Elisa Nobre Baptista and João Lopes Soares, a republican, politician, opponent to the New State dictatorship (“Estado Novo”), renowned pedagogue and founder of Colégio Moderno, in Lisbon.

Mário Soares with his parents, 1938.

Starts his activity as an anti-fascist activist, handing out communist and MUNAF (Movement of National Anti-Fascist Unity) propaganda and, already in 1943, during the Summer school break, giving improvised lectures on political culture to small selected groups in the Caldas da Rainha region.

Enrols in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Lisbon, in the Historical-Philosophical Sciences course.

Is arrested for the first time when the police interrupts a Gregorian music session commented by Fernando Lopes Graça, at Grémio Alentejano, in Lisbon.

Publishes his first articles in the República daily newspaper, under a column titled “Culture for All” ("Cultura para Todos")

‘Cultura’, article by Mário Soares for the “Culture para todos” section of the newspaper República, 1944.

‘Um mestre’, article by Mário Soares for the “Cultura para todos” section of the newspaper República, on Anatole France, 1944.

‘Em louvor de D. Quixote?’, article by Mário Soares for the “Cultura para todos” section of the newspaper República, 1944.

Joins the Portuguese Communist Party.

Mário Soares chairs the congress held at the José Estevão Republican Centre, where a decision is made to transform the Academic Movement of Democratic Unity (MAUD) into the Juvenile MUD. A Central Committee is elected, chaired by Mário Soares, who becomes the Juvenile MUD’s first representative in the district committee of the Lisbon MUD.

As a representative of the Juvenile MUD, he joins the MUD Central Committee.

Is arrested, this time by the International and State Defence Police (PIDE), the political police, along with all those who signed the documents in which MUD protests against Portugal’s application for admission to the United Nations. His imprisonment lasts a short time because everyone was bailed out, thanks to the generosity of Amadeu Gaudêncio, a great friend of João Soares.

Takes part in a session promoted by MUD in which he presents the communication “The youth is not with the New State” (“A Juventude não está com o Estado Novo”).

As a member of the MUD Central Committee, he signs a “Manifesto to the Youth” ("Manifesto à Juventude")

All the members of the MUD Central Committee are incarcerated at the Aljube Prison. Mário Soares is locked in the same cell with his father, who is still in prison following the anti-Salazar revolt of April 10th, 1947.

Mário Soares is appointed secretary-general of the services for the candidacy of General Norton de Matos to the Presidency of the Republic.

Mário Soares, centre, during a press conference to publicly present Norton de Matos' candidacy for the Presidency of the Republic, 1948.

He is arrested again on his way to the Boa-Hora Court, where the trial of the Central Committee of the Juvenile MUD will take place.

Series of three photographs of Mário Soares, for registration purposes, at the time of his arrest by PIDE, 1949.

Mário Soares and Maria Barroso married by proxy in the Aljube prison, where Soares was being held.

Mário Soares with Maria Barroso on a cable car in Switzerland, 1959.

Publishes his first book: As Ideias Político-Sociais de Teófilo Braga ("The Political and Social Ideas of Teófilo Braga."

Cover of the book As Ideias Político-Sociais de Teófilo Braga ("The Political and Social Ideas of Teófilo Braga."

Clipping from the newspaper República with an article about Mário Soares' book “As Ideias Políticas e Sociais de Teófilo Braga", 1950.

Finishes his Historical-Philosophical Sciences degree at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Lisbon.

Starts the Law course at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon.

Starts working at Colégio Moderno as an administrator and later on as a teacher.

Mário Soares with the students of the 5th year History course at Colégio Moderno, 1958-59.

With several opposition figures, such as Manuel Mendes, Piteira Santos, Ramos da Costa and Gustavo Soromenho, he founds the Socialist Republican Resistance.

As a representative of the Republican Resistance, Mário Soares becomes a member of the Social-Democratic Directory.

Mário Soares's speech at the commemoration of the 5th of October, 1956.

Completes the Law course at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon.

Endorses and commits to General Humberto Delgado’s candidacy to the Presidency of the Republic.

Is one of the main subscribers of the Program for the Democratization of the Republic, delivered at the Presidency of the Republic.

Programa para a Democratização da República ("Programme for the Democratisation of the Republic”), 1961.

The subscribers of the Program for the Democratization of the Republic are arrested. Mário Soares serves six months in prison, in the Aljube and Caxias prisons.

Series of three photographs of Mário Soares, for registration purposes, at the time of his arrest by PIDE, 1961.

Mário Soares is appointed Secretary-General of the Portuguese Socialist Action (ASP), which he founds in Geneva, with Francisco Ramos da Costa and Manuel Tito de Morais. At the same meeting, the new organization’s “Declaration of Principles” is approved.

Mário Soares, Francisco Ramos da Costa and Manuel Tito de Morais in Geneva, on the occasion of the founding of the Portuguese Socialist Action, 1964.

After the murder of Humberto Delgado, Mário Soares and Abranches Ferrão are asked to be the lawyers of the general’s wife and children.

On behalf of all the opposition candidates to the elections for the National Assembly, Mário Soares reads the “Manifesto to the Country” ("Manifesto ao País").

Manuscript of the document Manifesto ao país ("Manifesto to the country") presented by the Democratic Opposition to the 1965 National Assembly elections, written by Mário Soares, 1965.

Is one of the signers of the “Exposition to the President of the Republic on the 40 years of the New State” ("Exposição ao presidente da República sobre os 40 anos do Estado Novo").

The “Ballets Rose” case is reported by the Sunday Telegraph. Soares is arrested in his office at Rua do Ouro, charged with having provided “false and difamatory information to the international press, which could damage the good name of Portugal”. The arrest sparks a wave of international protests.

‘Sex Scandal Rumours Shake Salazar Regime’, Sunday Telegraph article on the “Ballet Rose” affair, 1967

He is arrested again, and is informed that he is to be deported to the island of S. Tomé, for an indefinite period.

Mário Soares during his deportation to São Tomé, 1968.

Mário Soares during his deportation to São Tomé, 1968.

Mário Soares begins writing his exposé on fascism, the book Portugal Amordaçado.

Manuscript of the book ‘Portugal Amordaçado’, written by Mário Soares in São Tomé, 1968.

After Salazar has already been replaced by Marcello Caetano as President of the Council, Mário Soares returns to Portugal, arriving in Lisbon on the 12th.

He writes a “Brief comment on ‘A Family Conversation’, by Marcello Caetano”, which, in spite of significant cuts by the censorship, is published in the daily newspaper Diário de Lisboa.

‘Breve comentário a uma ‘Conversa em família’’, handwritten article by Mário Soares for the newspaper Diário de Lisboa, 1969.

‘Breve comentário a uma ‘Conversa em família’’, typographic proofs of an article by Mário Soares for the Diário de Lisboa, 1969.

Publishes the work Escritos Políticos, a compilation of several selected political writings, all dated after 1965, criticizing the country’s political situation and pointing out ways to democratize the regime.

Cover of the book "Escritos Políticos” (Political Writings), 1969.

Is one of the subscribers of the “To the Country” manifesto ("Ao País").

Presents a communication to the II Aveiro Congress, under the theme “The 1933 Constitution and the democratic evolution of the Country” ("A Constituição de 1933 e a evolução democrática do País").

The Portuguese Socialist Action movement and several independents decide to form, in Lisbon, Porto and Braga, the Electoral Committee of Democratic Unity (CEUD).

Mário Soares speaking at a CEUD rally, 1969.

At the end of a trip aiming to elucidate and report about the Portuguese political situation, which takes him to Brazil, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the United States of America, Mário Soares gives an important press conference at the Overseas Press Club, in New York, organized by Ibérica magazine and sponsored by the International League for Human Rights, during which he denounces the Portuguese Government’s colonial policy and the illegal arrests of Salgado Zenha and Jaime Gama.

Mário Soares leaving the Overseas Press Club, 1970.

At the invitation of the President of the Commission of European Countries not Members of the Council of Europe, he travels to Strasbourg to take part in a debate on “Human rights violations in Portugal”, which takes place during the 22nd ordinary session of the Council of Europe.

The DGS has announced the opening of proceedings against Mário Soares, accusing him of carrying out activities abroad that amount to an ‘attempt to separate parts of Portuguese territory from the mother country’ and ‘spreading false news that could jeopardise Portugal's good name abroad’. Various inscriptions began to appear on the walls of some of the country's roads, stating: ‘Soares turra! Kill him!’, ’Jewish Soares! Kill him!’ and “Soares to the platoon!”.

Registration campaign against Mário Soares for his denunciations of the colonial war, 1970.

Registration campaign against Mário Soares for his denunciations of the colonial war, 1970.

Registration campaign against Mário Soares for his denunciations of the colonial war, 1970.

Mário Soares is forced into exile following a process in which he is accused of “treason against the Fatherland”. He spends a few months, as an exile, in the home of a friend, the scientist and also oppositionist Mário Ruivo, in the Italian village of Piediluco, although he takes up residence in Paris.

Mário Soares and Hermínio da Palma Inácio, in Paris, 1970.

He is hired as Chargé de Cours (Visiting Professor) at Vincennes (Paris VIII) and at the Sorbonne.

Is invited to teach as a Visiting Professor at the University of Upper Brittany (Rennes).

Publishes, in Paris, with the Calmann-Levy publishing company, the book Le Portugal Bailloné – Un Témoignage. The Portuguese Government forbids importing or printing the book.

Cover of the book ‘Portugal Baillonné: Un Témoignage’, 1972.

The Portuguese Socialist Action is admitted as full member of the Socialist International, during this organization’s 12th Congress, held in Vienna. During the Congress, Mário Soares makes an important speech as part of a debate on the theme “A Socialist Policy for Europe”.

Drafts of a communication by Mário Soares presented to the Vienna Congress of the Second International (XII Congress of the IS), on behalf of the Portuguese Socialist Action, 1972.

"A ASP entrou na Internacional Socialista" ("The ASP joined the Socialist International"), draft article by Mário Soares for “Portugal Socialista”, written in London, 1972.

The Socialist Party (PS) is founded in Bad Münstereifel, on the outskirts of Bonn (Federal Republic of Germany), resulting from a meeting of a group of socialists who decide to transform the ASP into a political party. Mário Soares is elected Secretary-General of the PS.

Founding of the Socialist Party in Bad Münstereifel, 19 April 1973.

Founding of the Socialist Party in Bad Münstereifel, April 1973.

Founding of the Socialist Party in Bad Münstereifel, April 1973.

The first Congress of the Socialist Party is held. Mário Soares presents an analysis report on the political situation and prospects for action.

"Mudar a Vida. Destruir o Sistema. Construir uma Nova Vida” ("Change Life. Destroy the System. Building a New Life", manuscript by Mário Soares containing ideas and suggestions for the Socialist Party's programme, 1973

He publishes an article in the newspaper Le Monde where he states that “something is finally moving in Portugal!”

From Bonn, where he was staying, invited by Willy Brandt, Mário Soares leaves for Paris after being informed by the services of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) that a revolutionary military movement has erupted in Portugal.

Accompanied by Maria Barroso, Tito de Morais, Ramos da Costa and other socialist leaders, as well as his friend and fellow exile Fernando Oneto, Mário Soares leaves for Lisbon on the Sud Express, the “freedom train”.

Mário Soares and Maria Barroso on the train from Paris, 28 April 1974.

Mário Soares returns to Portugal, being the first political exile and leader of the democratic opposition to return. In Santa Apolónia, he greets the huge crowd that cheers him and, from the main balcony of the train station, gives a brief speech. After an impromptu press conference in the waiting room, crowded with journalists, Raúl Rêgo asks Mário Soares to follow him to the headquarters of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, in Cova da Moura, where General Spínola is waiting for him. The General asks him to use his international influence to get the new Portuguese political power recognized.

Arrival of Mário Soares in Lisbon from exile, 28 April 1974.

Arrival of Mário Soares in Lisbon from exile, 28 April 1974.

Arrival of Mário Soares in Lisbon from exile, 28 April 1974.

Arrival of Mário Soares in Lisbon from exile, 28 April 1974.

Arrival of Mário Soares in Lisbon from exile, 28 April 1974.

Arrival of Mário Soares in Lisbon from exile, 28 April 1974.

He speaks at the 1.º de Maio Stadium in front of a huge crowd gathered there.

Mário Soares and Álvaro Cunhal, in the tribune of the 1st May Stadium, 1st May 1974.

Travelling on a TAP (Portuguese Air Transports) plane, expressly chartered for that purpose by the Junta de Salvação Nacional (National Salvation Junta), Mário Soares becomes the first messenger of the 25th of April in Europe, visiting the capitals of EEC Member States. In London, he is received by Harold Wilson and James Callaghan, in Bonn by Willy Brandt, in Rome by Pietro Nenni and in the Vatican by Cardinal Agostino Casaroli. In Helsinki he meets the four leaders of the Scandinavian social democracy – Olof Palme (Sweden), Kalevi Sorsa (Finland), Tygrevie Brateli (Norway) and Anker Jorgensen (Denmark) – in order to explain, to the European Heads of State and Government, the importance of the changes occurring in Portugal.

In Brussels, he holds a first secret meeting with the President of the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).

Mário Soares with Helmut Schmidt in Bonn, May 1974.

He is appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the I Provisional Government.States that Portugal recognizes as its interlocutors the independence movements: PAIGC (Guinea-Bissau), MPLA, UNITA and FNLA (Angola) and FRELIMO (Mozambique).

Mário Soares is appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the II Provisional Government.

Heads the Portuguese delegation that negotiates and signs, in Algiers, with a PAIGC delegation headed by Pedro Pires, the agreement that sets September 10th as the date for the final recognition of the independence of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

In Lusaka, at the head of a Portuguese delegation including Almeida Santos and Melo Antunes, Mário Soares negotiates and signs a ceasefire agreement with FRELIMO, and sets June 25th, 1975 as the date for the proclamation of the independence of the People’s Republic of Mozambique.

Mário Soares travels to New York, where he delivers a speech at the 29th session of the UN General Assembly, under the theme “The new Portugal and the United Nations”. International news agencies stress that, when he finished his speech, he was given a real “hero’s welcome”. During his stay in the USA, he meets with Henry Kissinger and Robert McNamara.

The Portuguese version Portugal Amordaçado is published.

Mário Soares signing the book ‘Portugal Amordaçado’, 1974.

Mário Soares takes office as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the III Provisional Government.

The First Congress of the Socialist Party as a legal political party. Mário Soares, as the party’s Secretary-General, presents the report “Socialism, yes, dictatorship, no!” ("Socialismo, sim, ditadura, não"), approved by 850 votes for and 3 against. He is re-elected Secretary-General of the PS.

Mário Soares speaking at the First National Congress of the PS in legality, 1974

A Socialist Party rally at the Pavilhão dos Desportos in Lisbon against the single trade union policy takes place.

PS rally against trade union unity, at the Pavilhão dos Desportos, 1975.

PS rally against trade union unity, at the Pavilhão dos Desportos, 1975.

PS rally against trade union unity, at the Pavilhão dos Desportos, 1975.

PS rally against trade union unity, at the Pavilhão dos Desportos, 1975.

Mário Soares takes office as Minister without Portfolio of the IV Provisional Government.

During the Labour Day celebrations, in Lisbon, a number of incidents occur. Mário Soares is stopped from entering the 1.º de Maio Stadium.

Demonstration on 1st May 1975.

Beginning of the crisis in the newspaper República, between part of the workers and its director, Raul Rêgo, and the rest of the board. The PS reacts strongly. Mário Soares, with other socialist leaders and some supporters, protest outside the newspaper’s building, accusing the PCP (Portuguese Communist Party) of being behind the events.

Mário Soares giving a speech in front of the ‘República’ newspaper building, 1975.

Mário Soares and all the socialist ministers resign from the IV Provisional Government, following the “República affair”.

At a large rally organized by the PS at Fonte Luminosa, in Lisbon, Mário Soares calls for the resignation of the Prime Minister, Vasco Gonçalves.

Mário Soares at the Fonte Luminosa rally, 19 July 1975.

Mário Soares takes part in the meeting of the Socialist International in Stockholm, where the Committee of Friendship and Solidarity for Democracy and Socialism in Portugal is created.

Mário Soares and the leader of the PCP, Álvaro Cunhal, debate in front of the RTP (Portuguese Radio-Television) cameras; their conflicting positions on the political situation and visions for the country become evident.

Debate between Mário Soares and Álvaro Cunhal, on public television (RTP), 6 November 1975.

In Porto, a Socialist Summit begins, aiming to show solidarity with the PS, called “Europe with Us” ("A Europa Connosco"), attended by delegations and political leaders from all Western European countries.

Mário Soares accompanied by the main European socialist leaders at the ‘Europe with Us’ socialist summit, 1976.

Mário Soares takes office as Prime Minister of the I Constitutional Government.

Inauguration of Mário Soares as Prime Minister of the First Constitutional Government, 1977

Is elected vice-president of the Socialist International, in Geneva.

Mário Soares with François Mitterrand and Bettino Craxino at the 13th Congress of the Socialist International in Geneva, 1976.

Receives the highest award given by the International League for Human Rights.

In Strasbourg, Mário Soares speaks before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to state that the “back to Europe” path had been set by the Portuguese Government and was an “essential milestone”.

Mário Soares presents, at the Assembly of the Republic, a motion of confidence in the Government, and it is rejected. The First Constitutional Government is overthrown.

Prime Minister Mário Soares during the debate on the motion of confidence presented by the PS in the Assembly of the Republic, 1977.

Mário Soares is appointed Prime Minister, after a parliamentary governmental agreement between the PS and the CDS (Democratic and Social Centre).

The II Constitutional Government, headed by Mário Soares, takes office.

Mário Soares takes office as Prime Minister of the Second Constitutional Government, 1978.

The President of the Republic, Ramalho Eanes, exonerates Mário Soares from the post of Prime Minister. The Government falls.

Prime Minister Mário Soares and President of the Republic António Ramalho Eanes during the official 25 April celebrations, 1978.

Mário Soares resumes his functions as Secretary-General of the PS.

He is re-elected Secretary-General of the PS at the party’s IV Congress. The same day, François Mitterrand wins the French presidential elections. Mário Soares travels to Paris to congratulate the new French president.

Mário Soares and Carlos Alberto Mota Pinto, the PSD (Social Democratic Party) leader, sign a political, parliamentary and governmental agreement between both their parties.

Signing of the agreement between Carlos Mota Pinto and Mário Soares to form the Central Bloc government, 1983.

Takes office as Prime Minister of the IX Constitutional Government.

Official signing ceremony of Portugal’s Treaty of Accession to the EEC, at the Jerónimos Monastery, which will come into force on January 1st, 1986. Mário Soares, Bettino Craxi, Giulio Andreotti and Jacques Delors deliver speeches.

Mário Soares states: “For Portugal, joining the EEC represents a fundamental option for a future of progress and modernity. But let us not think it is an easy option. It will demand a lot from the Portuguese, although it simultaneously opens up to them broad perspectives for development”.

Prime Minister Mário Soares signing the Treaty of Accession of Portugal to the EEC, 12 June 1985.

Mário Soares is received by the President of the Republic and addresses the country via RTP, announcing his resignation.

At the PS National Convention, held in Lisbon, the decision made by Mário Soares to run for President of the Republic is acclaimed and unanimously approved.

Mário Soares is attacked during the election campaign in Marinha Grande.

The first round of the presidential elections takes place. Freitas do Amaral obtains 46.3% of the votes, Mário Soares 25.4%, Salgado Zenha 20.9% and Lurdes Pintassilgo 7.4%. The two candidates who received the most votes pass to the second round.

Francisco Salgado Zenha, Diogo Freitas do Amaral, Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo and Mário Soares, candidates in the 1986 presidential elections.

The second round of the presidential elections takes place: Mário Soares, with 51.8% of the votes, defeats Freitas do Amaral (48.8%), thus becoming the first civilian to occupy the Presidency of the Republic since the fall of the First Republic, in 1926.

Mário Soares during a campaign rally for the 1986 presidential elections in Lisbon.

Mário Soares takes office as President of the Republic before the Assembly of the Republic, in a solemn session. On this occasion, he delivers a speech titled “Unite the Portuguese, Serve Portugal” ("Unir os Portugueses, Servir Portugal").

Inauguration of Mário Soares as President of the Republic, 9 March 1986.

Beginning of the first “Open Presidency” ("Presidência Aberta") by Mário Soares, in the city of Guimarães. Between the 16th and the 25th, he also visits Braga, Porto and Viana do Castelo.

Open Presidency in Guimarães, 1986.

Receives the Robert Schuman Award.

Mário Soares is re-elected President of the Republic, with 70.4% of the votes. The other candidates obtain the following votes: Basílio Horta, 14.2%; Carlos Carvalhas, 12.9%; and Carlos Marques, 2.6%.

Mário Soares at his campaign headquarters after winning the presidential elections, 1991.

Mário Soares in the election campaign, 1991.

Travels to Paris for the ceremony, at UNESCO, in which the Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize is awarded to Yitzhac Rabin, Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat.

The Independent World Commission on the Oceans is created in Tokyo, chaired by Mário Soares.

The Mário Soares Foundation is inaugurated in Lisbon, with Mário Soares as President.

Mário Soares in his office at the Mário Soares Foundation, 1997.

Is elected president of the Portugal-Africa Foundation.

Mário Soares is elected, in Rome, President of the European Movement. During the event, he states: “The most important task will be to press for the idea of Europe to be broadened and spread in a federalist logic. A Europe of young people, women and citizens with rights and duties”.

Mário Soares is appointed Chairman of the Committee of Wise Persons of the Council of Europe. The Committee presents its final report in November 1998.

At the initiative of the Lisbon Group, he is appointed Chairman of the Committee for the World Water Contract.

Is appointed President of the National Commission for the Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The report of the Independent World Commission on the Oceans, chaired by Mário Soares, is titled “The Ocean our future” and is published in English.

Cover of the book ‘The Ocean, Our Future’, 1998.

Mário Soares is head of the Socialist Party’s list to the European elections, and is elected Member of the European Parliament, where he remains until 2004.

Mário Soares at a campaign rally for the European Parliament elections, 1999.

He runs for President of the European Parliament, but loses to French MEP Nicole Fontaine.

Is the first person to sign the manifesto against the military intervention in Iraq, titled “For Peace, Against War”.

Announces his third candidacy for the Presidency of the Republic. He has the support of the Socialist Party.

Mário Soares' campaign for the 2006 presidential elections.

Mário Soares' campaign for the 2006 presidential elections.

Mário Soares' campaign for the 2006 presidential elections.

The Presidential elections are held and Mário Soares is third, with only 14.3% of the votes.

Publishes an autobiographical, political and ideological essay, Um Político Assume-se (A Politician Comes Forward).

Cover of the book "Um Político Assume-se”, 2011.

His wife, Maria de Jesus Barroso, dies.

Mário Alberto Nobre Lopes Soares dies, in Lisbon. His funeral, the first with State honours in the history of Portuguese democracy, takes place three days later, at the Jerónimos Monastery.

Funeral procession in front of the Assembly of the Republic, 10 January 2017.