Ines de Souza Real guarantees that AD “does not benefit from PAN”

The PAN leader guarantees that the Democratic Alliance (PSD, a coalition of CDS-PP and PPM) will not count on her party’s support after the legislative elections, but allows for the possibility of an understanding with the Social Democrats.

“PAN has already made it clear that the Democratic Alliance does not have the support of the MHP. SDP is one thing, the Democratic Alliance is another,” he said.

In an interview with Lusa on the occasion of the March 10 legislative elections, Ines de Souza Real said that just as the party had drawn a “red line regarding Chega,” it also “does not count on the MHP to make this revival viable.” , which doesn’t actually address the challenges of the 21st century” and “is actually stifling.”

“We obviously cannot agree to an agenda that is anti-feminist and anti-progressive. A vote for these political forces is a vote against women’s rights, it is a vote against animal rights, for climate change deniers, and it is a vote against the rights of future generations,” he charged.

For PAN, AD “represents a very serious setback in the face of rights that have yet to be won.”

“Luis Montenegro, by pushing for the inclusion of Gonçalo da Camara Pereira on his list, and also by pushing for Nuno Melo and the CDS, the former president of CAP, clearly sends a very negative signal in social terms,” he criticized.

The MP believes that after the legislative elections on March 10, it will be necessary to ask what the PSD and PS leaders are “ready to do for the MHP cause” before deciding on any possible support for the next government.

Ines de Souza Real said it will be necessary to understand “whether a political force is available that is able to form a government to move closer to the causes and values ​​of the PAN, and what commitments it is willing to undertake to guarantee the political stability of the country.”

“There is a path to follow and we need to understand what is available then to Luis Montenegro. [presidente do PSD] and Pedro Nuno Santos [secretário-geral do PS] what needs to be done to move closer to these principles and these problems so that we can lift people out of poverty in our country, make progress in protecting animals and more effectively combat climate change by preserving nature,” he said.

Ines de Sousa Real declined to say whether she would demand a written agreement or join the government, noting that it would depend on what the PSI and PSD include in their electoral programs, as well as on the results of each party and the balance of power, but hopes to have “more bargaining power” in the next legislature.

PAN wants, among other things, the next government to cut family taxes, commit to more ambitious decarbonisation targets, expand the railway linking all regional capitals, “put a strong emphasis on public transport”, greater access to housing and student accommodation. and strengthening support for animal welfare, namely reducing VAT on food and medical and veterinary services.

He also acknowledged that choosing a location for a new airport could be a red line. PAN defends Beja’s choice.

The fact that the MHP is discussing proposals with the PS at the national level and abstaining from the state budget, and has also signed an agreement on parliamentary influence with the PSD in Madeira, Ines de Sousa Real believes that “this only demonstrates that the main commitment” of the party belongs to the cause. which she represents.

“It would be very easy for PAN to abandon this responsibility and resist it for the sake of opposition, but the Portuguese did not choose us to simply focus on growth. They chose us to answer their problems and that is what PAN did,” he defended.

The PAN spokesman also refused to be “hostage to the debate around the dichotomy of left and right, the ideological prejudices inherent in each political force, and leave all these problems and achievements behind.”

This interview was conducted before the president of the regional government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, was named as a defendant in an investigation into allegations of corruption, abuse of power, malfeasance, attacks on the rule of law and other crimes, and resigned. office .

PAN signed a parliamentary advocacy agreement that allows the PSD/SDS-PP coalition to have an absolute majority in the regional parliament.