Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa took office on Wednesday as President of Portugal, promising to be a guardian of the country’s constitution and calling for an end to the economic crisis in the European nation.

He said Portugal was still facing “difficult times and challenges”.

“We need to leave the atmosphere of crisis, in which we have lived almost permanently since the beginning of the century, by stating our self-love, our wisdom, resistance, experience, [and] appreciation of fundamentals,” the President said in his speech at the swearing-in ceremony, held at the Portuguese parliament.

Mr Rebelo de Sousa stressed that Portugal should “go further” in improving “the capacity and quality” of its education, science, health, social security, justice, public administration and political systems. He also noted the nation should be “faithful” to its international commitments, including those related to its membership of the European Union.

“The President of the Republic will be the permanent and scrupulous guardian of the constitution and of its values,” Mr Rebelo de Sousa pledged, promising to be “the President of all Portuguese, with no exception”.

Mr Rebelo de Sousa, a centre-right politician, was elected in January with 52 percent of the vote. The former professor and TV commentator has replaced Aníbal Cavaco Silva as head of state.