Clarifications on national mourning

• The Government did not recommend cancelling any sessions pertaining to the 25th April celebrations, which it always stated it would attend

• The Government postponed to 1 May the festive event at the Official Residence of the Prime Minister

Given the doubts that have arisen due to the impact of the declaration of national mourning in the upcoming three days’ events, we see fit to reiterate what was said at the press conference following the Council of Ministers and thereby clarify:

1. The National Mourning Decree 6-A/2025 approved yesterday by the Government and published in the Government Gazette does not impose or set per se any specific measures or restrictions on the activities held by entities and legal or private persons. The Decree merely establishes the mourning and the dates thereof.

2. The conduit options set by the Government apply to it and the members of Government and at no time were instructions given on other entities’ activities (including municipalities and associations) or those of the people.

3. The Government’s choice as to attending the events relating to the 51st anniversary celebrations of the 25th of April revolution was as follows:

a) The Government, via its members, will attend the solemn session in Parliament as well as the official ceremonies hosted by municipalities. It is envisaged that these ceremonies will have times of tribute to Pope Francis, including one minute of silence.

b) The programme of festivities set for the Official Residence of the Prime Minister were postponed until the 1 May and were not cancelled. The traditional opening of the Official Residence (gardens and ground floor), plus the distribution of carnations, will still take place on 25 April. 

4. As for the activities not relating to the celebrations of the 25th of April revolution’s 51st anniversary, the Government felt that:

a) The members of Government will not attend other festivities that are held within the national mourning period, such as openings, celebrations, or festivities hosted by national or local entities for reasons not relating to the celebration of the 25th of April revolution’s 51st anniversary, in accordance with the understanding on its duty to be reserved due to mourning.

b) The national flag will be flown at half-mast on public buildings.