The President of the Republic said he did not want to interfere in the dialogue between the government and teachers

The President of the Republic said this Thursday that he does not want to interfere in the dialogue between the government and teachers, which he encourages, regarding the hearings with trade unions that will be hosted by his advisers at the Belen Palace.

“Dialogue between government and trade unions, trade unions and government must be constantly maintained. This is counterproductive,” Marcelo Rebelo de Souza told reporters in the former royal arena, next to the Belém Palace in Lisbon.

The head of state, speaking in the middle of the meeting of the Musicians in Belen Palace program, added that he wanted to “respond to the request made in recent days and last week by teachers, trade unions, but allowing dialogue and encouraging dialogue between the government and teachers “.

The President of the Republic said that he would not be present at these hearings: “At this stage, it should be consultants who listen to the demanding points of view of teachers, this Thursday part of the unions, on Saturday the other union, in order to be able to have an idea of ​​​​the convergence, about divergences, about what are the fundamental points that continue.”

“And then, having the reaction of the ministry, the reaction of the ministry is very important. The position of the Government, and in particular the position of the Minister of Education, is very important in order to understand whether, as I hope, there is hope for a rapprochement of points of view, and where, at what points, or if this rapprochement is more difficult for administrative, political or financial reasons,” he considered.

Asked if he could take on the role of mediator in this negotiation process if the strikes continue, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa replied that “the President of the Republic should avoid this position for a very simple reason, because he cannot go beyond certain constitutional roles.” “.