Nuno Morna, the only member of the Liberal Initiative in Madeira’s parliament, said on Tuesday that there is an urgent need to clarify the political situation in the autonomous region and called on the President of the Republic to present a timetable for next actions.
“How can you explain that, compared to this, the crisis that led to the fall of António Costa was resolved within two days, while what we are experiencing, which is much more serious, has been going on for more than a week?” asked Nuno Morna at a press conference at the Legislative Assembly of Funchal.
The President of the Government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque (NSD), was named as a defendant on January 24, and on Monday he formalized his resignation from his post as part of an investigation into alleged corruption in the autonomous region. also the arrest of the then mayor of Funchal, Pedro Calado (NSD), who has since also resigned from his post, and two businessmen linked to the construction sector.
The representative of the Republic, Ireneu Barreto, accepted the resignation of the chief executive, but decided that it would not take effect immediately.
The IL deputy believes that Madeirans need to know what will happen, namely whether the regional budget, which is scheduled to be discussed from February 6 to 9, will be approved, whether parliament will be dissolved and whether early elections will be called.
“We appeal to the President of the Republic and the representative [da República para a Madeira]to put an end to this circus of disrepute,” said Nuno Morna, and then reinforced: “Without wanting to replace those who have the power to make decisions in their hands, it is important that by the end of the day this Tuesday, Madeirans will be presented with a schedule that will quickly bring us from this opera buffa.”
On the other hand, a liberal MP criticized the position of the parties supporting the regional government – the SDP and SDS-PP in a coalition with parliamentary support of the PAN – saying that “some close their eyes and pretend not to see.” some have ears so as not to hear, and some have mouth so as not to speak.”
“Madeira cannot stop, and for a week now we have been bombarded with everything and everyone, which means that what is true now will not be true in 10 minutes,” he warned, then added: “The problem is not the parties, the problem is Madeira’s handling.”
On Wednesday, the Judicial Police (PJ) carried out some 130 searches in and outside homes in Madeira, the Azores and various areas of the continent, in which Miguel Albuquerque was charged and the group’s leader, Pedro Calado, was arrested. construction company AFA, Avelino Farinha, and the main shareholder of the civil engineering group Socicorreia, Custódio Correia.
According to the joint venture, we are talking about suspicions of active and passive corruption, economic participation in business, malfeasance, receiving or offering undue advantages, abuse of power and influence trading.
According to court documents to which Luza had access, prosecutors allege that Miguel Albuquerque, Pedro Calado and Avelino Fariña “over time developed a relationship of special intimacy and trust” that benefited the businessman “despite the rules of free competition.” and government procurement.”
Among the contracts subject to criminal investigation, according to court documents, are the concession for public road passenger transport services on the island of Madeira, the concession for the Curral das Freiras cable car, the Praia Formosa project and Funchal Jazz 2022-2023.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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