Von der Leyen greets “collective responsibility” in a “unprecedented” moment after the ‘blackout’ in Portugal and Spain

The President of the European Commission congratulated today the populations of Portugal and Spain for the “collective responsibility and solidarity” they demonstrated in the face of an “unprecedented blackout”.

“Yesterday [Monday], citizens in Spain and Portugal, and in some parts of France, faced an unprecedented blackout. I want to congratulate them for their calmness and civility […], they demonstrated collective responsibility and solidarity,” said Ursula von der Leyen, as a member of the European People’s Party (EPP), during the congress of this political family in the Spanish city of Valencia (east).

The president of the community executive also thanked all the “police, firefighters, and traffic controllers” who “worked under immense pressure to protect citizens and maintain order.”

A widespread power supply cut affected Portugal and Spain on Monday, starting at 11:30, and continues to have no explanation from the authorities.

Closed airports, congestion in transport and traffic in large cities, and fuel shortages were some of the consequences of the blackout.

The electricity distribution network operator E-Redes assured this morning that the service is fully restored and normalized.