Miguel Albuquerque refused to resign this Wednesday, saying he has a “clear conscience.” The president of the regional government of Madeira is suspected of corruption, economic involvement in business and malfeasance, as well as possible violation of community rules in the field of public procurement. “I’ve never robbed anyone. There was no corruption at all. Nobody buys me,” explained Miguel Albuquerque.
This Wednesday, the Ministry of Justice and the National Anti-Corruption Unit of the Judicial Police are carrying out a major judicial operation in Madeira and on the mainland. “The investigation should be carried out by judges. The judiciary has not yet contacted me. (…) The regional government and I are collaborating with the joint venture to provide all the elements,” said Miguel Albuquerque.
The head of the regional government of Madeira prefers to remain in office while he presents his defence, and promises to present Democratic Alliance candidates in the region next week. “The investigation situation has never humiliated anyone (…) The status of a suspect is not a status at all,” he noted.
Regarding the prosecutor’s mention of “actions aimed at stipulating/preventing the publication of news harmful to the image of the regional government” [PSD/CDS-PP/PPM] in newspapers in the region in ways that may constitute a violation of press freedom,” Miguel Albuquerque guaranteed: “Obviously, I have never conditioned anyone.”
Suspicions of unjustified favoritism concern officials not only from the regional executive, but also from the Funchal city council. One of the three detained as part of the mega-operation is Pedro Calado, the president of the municipality, “a high-quality politician,” according to Miguel Albuquerque. “You don’t need lawyers,” he noted.
Regarding the possible impact of the case on the campaign for legislative elections in March, the president of the regional government of Madeira believes in the possibility of “serving as a throwing weapon” by other parties.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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