The leaders of the parliamentary benches met this Friday morning. Following the leaders’ conference, the President of the Assembly of the Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, announced that the state budget calendar for 2024 remains unchanged.
The PSD, the Liberal Initiative and the PAN criticized the fact that the Prime Minister proposed to the President of the Republic the name of Mario Centeno, governor of the Bank of Portugal, to replace him as head of government.
The outcome of the conference was the idea of discouraging issues that do not reach consensus before the end of this legislature, but right-wing parties expressed concerns about what the government might do.
On Thursday, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced the dissolution of parliament and the appointment of early legislative elections for March 10, 2024. An investigation into lithium and green hydrogen projects led to Antonio Costa’s resignation on Tuesday after the ministry said the prime minister was the subject of an independent Supreme Court investigation.
Socialist Party (PS)
The PS parliamentary leader said the Socialists’ “authoritative majority” in parliament has the legitimacy to “close a set of diplomas that have already been voted on as a whole.” Eurico Brillante Diaz assured that “new legislative initiatives should not be expected”, except in “urgent cases” and with “a broad party consensus.”
In response to criticism from the opposition, the deputy stressed that “never before has a majority approved so many proposals from other parties” and that “any responsible Portuguese would have accepted” what António Costa proposed to Mario Centeno if the President of the Republic had given his consent. approval of the decision.
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
The SDP parliamentary leader expressed the hope that “an absolute majority will not approve issues that are not agreed upon by mutual consent”, in accordance with the “spirit of this Leaders’ Conference”. Joaquim Miranda Sarmento announced the party’s readiness for a “dialogue with the PS” regarding the state budget. On the contrary, he considered that “there is no time to complete the process of revising the Constitution, especially since the PS will change its leader in December.”
Regarding the nomination of Mario Centeno for the post of Prime Minister, the Social Democratic MP criticized the initiative of António Costa in front of the President of the Republic. “This is another demonstration of the lack of independence of the Bank of Portugal. Governor Mario Centeno is not independent from political power and is part of the socialist network,” he said.
He’s arriving
Chegi’s parliamentary leader expressed concern “about what the government will try to approve” while the Assembly remains in power and promised to “check” the actions of the executive.
The party agreed to end fortnightly debates but asked that “the election of a new Constitutional Court judge not be held on December 14.” Pedro Pinto said that “it makes sense to postpone this issue until the next legislative session.”
Liberal Initiative (IL)
The parliamentary leader of the Liberal Initiative also promised “oversight of the government” and mentioned the “surgical proposals” the party has for the budget, despite the fact that he has “no hope” that the PS will accept them.
Rodrigo Saraiva has joined in the criticism of the appointment of Mario Centeno as chief executive. “PS believes that all this belongs to her,” he said.
People Animals and Nature (PAN)
The only PAN deputy wants to continue legislative work in parliament, contrary to the established “central bloc of interests.” Ines Sousa Real called on the PS and PSD to “respect other parties.”
Regarding António Costa’s initiative to appoint Mario Centeno as his successor as prime minister, the MP pointed to the “revolving door” that exists between the government and other sectors of society.
For free
Livre’s sole deputy stated that he was “pretending that the government is not justified” with a “previously dissolved Assembly of the Republic” and a “continuing election campaign.”
Rui Tavares added that given the current situation, “we must trust the common sense of the PS and PSD” regarding the revision of the Constitution.
Author: Daniela Vilar Santos This Miguel Bravo Morais
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Sandra Hansen, a news website Author and Reporter for 24 News Reporters. I have over 7 years of experience in the journalism field, with an extensive background in politics and political science. My passion is to tell stories that are important to people around the globe and to engage readers with compelling content.