LISBON, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Saturday called on people to vote in the upcoming European Parliament elections.
"What is decided in Europe is as much important as what is decided only in Portugal. And in the coming months and coming years, Europe will make fundamental decisions for our future," said Rebelo de Sousa in his usual presidential message on the eve of an election broadcast on television, the radio and the website of the presidency.
"I hope you will make a small sacrifice, and not to leave the decision of everyone to 20 percent or 25 percent," the president said, adding that staying home instead of voting on Sunday would be "a huge mistake."
"To vote tomorrow is to not give up the freedom to rule our future," he said.
When journalists asked on Saturday if he expected a large number of abstentions, the president said that anyone who does not vote cannot later turn around and complain about the results.
There are about 10.7 million Portuguese voters registered in the country and abroad, compared to about 9.7 million in the previous European elections in May 2014.
Some 14,900 people have decided to vote in Portugal, according to data earlier released by the ministry of internal administration.
Portuguese voters will elect 21 members out of 17 parties and coalitions in the European elections on Sunday.
