Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman have congratulated President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on winning the second term in office.

In their congratulatory messages, the King and the Crown Prince wished the Portuguese president success and good luck and to the people of Portugal further progress and prosperity.

Rebelo de Sousa was re-elected on Sunday in an election marked by record abstention blamed on the coronavirus pandemic.

The 72-year-old law professor and TV personality is known among the Portuguese for his easy-going style and has sustained an approval rating of 60 percent or more.

He is also a former leader of the center-right Social Democratic Party and has worked closely with the center-left minority Socialist governments to help tackle the pandemic.

The role of Portugal's president and head of state does not have legislative power but can veto legislation. The president can also dissolve the legislative assemblies and grant pardons.