The PCP of Madeira said this Wednesday that holding early elections in the region is “inevitable” to overcome the “unfavorable” political situation, taking into account suspicions of corruption in the archipelago that led to the resignation of the regional government president.
“We believe that in this situation, calling elections becomes an inevitable element of overcoming this political situation, which is complex, difficult and very unfavorable,” said Edgar Silva.
The regional coordinator of the PCP spoke to journalists after an audience with the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who this Wednesday receives the parties represented in the Parliament of Madeira at the Belém Palace in Lisbon, regarding the political crisis in the archipelago. caused by the dismissal of the president of the regional government, Miguel Albuquerque (PSD), who became a defendant in the process of investigating suspicions of corruption.
“There is a very sharp deterioration in the social situation, social problems that are intensifying and aggravating. This current majority is not capable. It does not react to the seriousness of the problems,” he emphasized.
In addition to listening to the nine parties represented – SDP, SDS-PP, PS, JPP, Chega, CDU, IL, PAN (which has a parliamentary influence agreement with the SDP that guarantees the SDS/SDS-PP executive an absolute majority) and BE – Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will convene the Council of State, the political advisory body of the head of state.
The hearings of the President of the Republic, with the participation of the parties with seats in Parliament, take place from 10 am this Wednesday in order of increasing representation: they began with BE at 10 am, followed by PAN, IL, PCP and Chega.
In the afternoon you will also hear CDS-PP, JPP, PS and PSD.
At 18:00 there will be a meeting of the Council of State, an advisory body to the president, which will evaluate the scenario for the dissolution of the Regional Legislative Assembly of Madeira and the call for early elections.
If Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa decides not to dissolve the regional parliament, the representative of the Republic, Ireneu Barreto, will appoint, as announced in February, “the president and other members of the new regional government.”
The head of state restored the right to dissolve the archipelago’s parliament this week, six months after regional elections were held in Madeira on September 24, 2023.
On Monday, Miguel Albuquerque said that there is no reason for the early adoption of the Madeira law and announced that negotiations are in the final stages to assure the President of the Republic that the absolute majority formed by the PSD and SDS-PP will remain with the parliamentary support of the PAN.
On the same day, PAN’s sole deputy, Mónica Freitas, refused to enter into any formal agreement with the PSD, but admitted that she was prepared to make the regional government’s program and budget viable if elections did not take place. The party previously said it would only maintain the understanding if Albuquerque stepped down as executive president.
Madeira’s opposition defended early elections.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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