“The President of the Republic had a very good night, this morning he spoke with us, he is in good spirits, he is progressing favourably, as expected, and we can say that the post-operative period is going smoothly and appropriately,” informed the president of the São João Local Health Unit (ULSSJ).

In a press conference to provide an update, Maria João Baptista said that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will now have to eat and get up so the medical team can assess his condition and, if all is well, he will only have tests done and it is expected that he can be discharged on Wednesday. “He is expected to stay here today and we believe he can be discharged shortly. He will stay here today. If everything goes as it has been and everything is alright, we believe he can be discharged tomorrow [Wednesday]. The President of the Republic is perfectly calm,” she added.

The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was admitted to São João Hospital in Porto on Monday night after feeling unwell following a digestive problem, the Presidency of the Republic indicated.

On its official website, the Presidency of the Republic explained that the Head of State felt unwell "when returning from Amarante, from the funeral of Engineer António Mota," in Amarante.

In a statement to the press, around 10 pm on Monday, Maria João Baptista explained that the decision to perform surgery also stemmed from the fact that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa "had already undergone previous surgery for a hernia similar to the one he is currently experiencing."

According to the representative, a hernia "corresponds to an area of ​​the abdominal wall that is more fragile and allows a part of the intestine to pass through the tissues," compromising "the ability to irrigate the tissues."

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, 76, presided on Monday morning in Praça dos Restauradores, Lisbon, over the commemorations honoring the Heroes of the Restoration and the War of Acclamation, which celebrates the reestablishment of national independence in 1640, and then proceeded to the funeral ceremonies of the former president of Mota-Engil, António Mota.