The representative of the Republic of Madeira, Ireneu Barreto, announces this Saturday his decision to resolve the political crisis in the region following the resignation of the President of the Regional Government (PSD/SDS-PP), Social Democrat Miguel Albuquerque.
The announcement of the judge-advisor’s decision is scheduled for 15:00 at the San Lourenzo Palace in Funchal and will take place a day after Ireneu Barreto’s meeting with the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in Lisbon.
Following the dismissal of the leader of the regional executive, Miguel Albuquerque (PSD), named as a defendant in the context of the process to investigate suspicions of corruption in Madeira, the representative of the Republic heard last week the parties represented in the Legislative Assembly of the region.
At the end of the hearings, Ireneu Barreto announced that he would consult with the President of the Republic about the political crisis and then announce his decision.
“In this very difficult situation, I now have to consider all the options provided for by the Constitution and consciously choose the one that best protects the interests of the people of Madeira and Porto Santos, the regional autonomy and the democratic regime,” he said to the heights of Ireneu Barreto.
According to the representative of the Republic, given the power to dissolve the Regional Legislative Assembly vested in the President of the Republic, it would be “necessary” to consult Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Asked about the possible appointment of a new regional government, Ireneu Barreto replied: “This is one of the options that I have to consider, whether it is worth appointing a government for a month, but as I say, open all scenarios.”
According to Article 231 of the Constitution, “the regional government is politically responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the autonomous region, and its president is appointed by the representative of the republic, taking into account the results of the elections.”
Article 133 specifies that the President of the Republic must “dissolve the Legislative Assemblies of the Autonomous Regions after consultation with the Council of State and the parties represented therein.”
However, according to Article 172, no assembly can be dissolved “within six months after its election”, and this period in this case is extended until 24 March.
The PSD and CDS-PP, which govern the region in a coalition with the parliamentary support of the PAN, are pushing for the appointment of a new executive leader, believing that the parliamentary majority has the legitimacy to support a new regional government, thus seeking to avoid the expected elections defended by the remaining parties with seats in hemispheres.
On January 24, the Judicial Police (SP) carried out some 130 searches at home and outside, mainly in Madeira, but also in the Azores and various parts of the continent, as part of the process of investigating suspicions of active and passive actions. corruption, participation in business economic activities, malfeasance, receiving or offering undue advantage, abuse of power and undue influence.
Following this operation, the SP detained the then mayor of Funchal Pedro Calado (NSD), who also resigned from his post, the leader of the AFA construction group Avelino Fariña and the main shareholder of the civil engineering group Socicorreia. , Custodio Correia.
The three defendants were released on Wednesday with proof of identity and residence, three weeks after their arrest, following a ruling by a criminal judge who found there was no evidence that “any crime had been committed.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal

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