Portugal's president is in hospital after fainting spell

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President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (2018)

Photo: Benoit Tessier/ REUTERS

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has been taken to hospital after a brief fainting spell. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon during a visit to NOVA University in the municipality of Almada, south of Lisbon, the presidential office said. The 74-year-old head of state had felt bad during a conversation with researchers and "briefly lost consciousness". However, he then "recovered quickly," it said.

The chief of staff in the Portuguese presidential office, Fernando Frutuoso de Melo, said on state television channel RTP3 that Rebelo de Sousa was "totally conscious". I can tell you that he called me from the ambulance." In the meantime, Prime Minister António Costa has also given the all-clear. He spoke on the phone with the head of state, who was "in a good mood," the socialist prime minister said.

According to the official information, despite all the positive news, Rebelo de Sousa should remain in the hospital for the time being "for precautionary reasons" in order to undergo some examinations.

jso/dpa