The President of the Republic commends the decision of the representative in Madeira to maintain the governing government

The head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, praised this Saturday the decision of the representative of the Republic of Madeira, Ireneu Barreto, to leave the regional government and leadership in his post.

At the end of the Anglican religious ceremony in Lisbon, journalists asked Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to comment on the decision of Ireneu Barreto to keep the leadership of the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP) in office until the President of the Republic decides whether to dissolve the Legislative Assembly, which can only take place after March 24th.

“The representative has already made his decision, hasn’t he?” – responded the head of the Portuguese state, highly appreciating Ireneu Barreto’s option.

“Certainly it was a good decision made by those who could make it. It was good,” said Marcelo Rebelo de Souza.

This Saturday afternoon, in a statement to journalists at the Palacio San Lorenzo in Funchal, Ireneu Barreto said that in his opinion, “it is preferable to maintain the current situation with the XIV Regional Government, which will continue to carry out managerial functions.” for a few weeks, perhaps extended if elections are called – to appoint a new regional government which, even without being aware of the unresolved problems, could soon also take over the functions of government.”

The leader of the Madeira government resigned after he was indicted as part of an investigation into suspected corruption in the region, leading to the removal of his leader from the PSD/CDU-PP coalition, supported by a PAN parliamentarian.

Asked about the possibility of reappointing Miguel Albuquerque as chief executive of Madeira, the representative of the Republic replied that, regardless of the elections, he would accept a possible candidacy from the Social Democrats so that the PSD/Madeira leader would also be president of the new regional government.

“If tomorrow, under any circumstances, whether with or without new elections, the party with the most votes presents to me, in this particular case, Dr. Miguel Albuquerque, I am obliged to accept it. I don’t want to use the veto on anyone,” he said.

The President of the Republic can only dissolve the Parliament of Madeira after 24 March, six months after the last regional legislative elections.

If the dissolution occurs, Ireneu Barreto said, the new regional chief executive “will remain in power until the new government appointed by the election results comes to power.”

“The appointment of a regional government which, although it would have possible parliamentary support, would not have that which comes from electoral suffrage and would inevitably make it susceptible to the possibility of being dismissed in the short term following the dissolution of the government. Legislative Assembly,” he warned.

If the head of state decides not to dissolve the regional parliament, the representative of the republic will appoint “the president and other members of the new regional government.”

On January 24, the Judicial Police (SP) carried out some 130 searches at home and outside, mainly in Madeira, but also in the Azores and various parts of the continent, as part of the process of investigating suspicions of active and passive actions. corruption, participation in business economic activities, malfeasance, receiving or offering undue advantage, abuse of power and undue influence.

Following this operation, the SP detained the then mayor of Funchal Pedro Calado (NSD), who also resigned from his post, the leader of the AFA construction group Avelino Fariña and the main shareholder of the civil engineering group Socicorreia. , Custodio Correia.

The three accused were released on Wednesday with identification documents and residence permits, three weeks after their arrest.