The Socialist candidate for the leadership of the PS, Pedro Nuno Santos, proposes a constitutional revision that would abolish the figure of the Republic’s representative in Madeira and the Azores, and considers the Gueringonço a historic change in Portugal.
The idea of a constitutional review to “improve” regional autonomies, as well as to defend a “cunning” political decision when the PS formed a minority government in 2015 with parliamentary support from the PCP, BE and PEV, is included in the proposal for the strategy for the candidacy of Pedro Nuno Santos for the post of general Secretary of the PS.
In his proposal entitled “All Portugal,” Pedro Nuno Santos understands that it is necessary to launch “a process of constitutional revision that aims specifically at reform and deepening autonomy.”
“Work that, in addition to satisfying the just intentions of the island autonomies regarding, for example, the disappearance of the figure of the Representative of the Republic or the vision of the territorial possessions, will necessarily be aimed at improving the responses that the State in various aspects makes public policy available to recipients,” it says proposal.
The former Minister of Infrastructure and Housing also advocates a revision of the law on finances of the autonomous regions.
“The two autonomous regions are different from each other, and in this particular area the PS believes that social, territorial and economic cohesion must be guaranteed while strictly respecting the principle of equality associated with the principle of isolation,” he says.
On justice issues, the proposal, which was coordinated by former minister Alexandra Leitan, argues that “a broad debate should begin regarding the system of selection, training and management of magistrates and the judiciary, as well as other agents of justice.” , reflecting the concerns of civil society.”
In this case, it is considered necessary to improve the careers of judicial officers, registrars and registry officers, “whose declining purchasing power and lack of professional training have contributed significantly to the demotivation and inefficiency of the judiciary and the administration of justice”, and expands on a possible future constitutional review on a different issue: “In In order to ensure effective judicial protection, it is also necessary to consider introducing a right of constitutional complaint (or appeal of amparo) so that people and companies can directly appeal to the Constitutional Court,” he reads.
As for the candidacy of Pedro Nuno Santos, “this measure must naturally be accompanied by a deep revision of the system of concrete control over constitutionality.”
“The court must periodically publish statistical data, including the number of cases pending; average duration of cases; percentage of decisions reversed by appellate courts; number of assigned cases at risk and statute of limitations. Additionally, it is important to create and publish a database. (impersonal) decisions of all instances and courts, including an electronic public register of interim decisions and rulings of arbitration courts,” this is also highlighted in the chapter on justice.
At the political level, Pedro Nuno Santos appreciates the legacy of António Costa, still secretary general of the Social Democratic Party, when in 2015 he put an end to the concept of the “arch of governance”, applicable only to the Socialists and the PSD, extending it to the PCP, the Left Bloc and the PEV .
In parallel, he tries to draw a line of demarcation against parties to the right of the PS, which have “a vision supported by a supposed concept of freedom to justify a selfish society based on a preconceived notion of meritocracy.”
On the contrary, from his point of view, the PS in 2015, “while paying tribute to the role of parliament in the Portuguese constitutional system, led to a historic change in the relations of political forces, forming a government supported by parties to its left, which remained outside the sphere of government for almost 50 years democracy.”
“This historic change did not limit the actions of the Socialist Party. On the contrary, it expanded its strategic space for intervention and guaranteed its place as a central party in the political system and in defending the greatest collective building of our democracy, the Social State. This is the legacy of António Costa’s leadership cycle that must be protected,” emphasizes the proposal of the former Minister of Infrastructure and Housing.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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