The Republic’s prosecutor general said this Friday that it is “obvious” that there are “multiple forces” attacking the prosecutor’s office and called for a thoughtful political debate in a “constructive spirit” on justice reforms, ruling out any possibility of continuation in office.
“Under no circumstances is this out of the question. No, I have the time and conditions to be happy,” the Prosecutor General of the Republic (PGR) Lucília Gago decisively told journalists as she entered the second day of the XIII Congress of the Union of Prosecutors (SMMP) in Ponta Delgada, Azores, after she was questioned about her willingness to continue in her position.
As for the speech at the opening of the congress, on Thursday the PGR repeated its words about attacks and internal and external pressure on the Prosecutor’s Office (MP).
“This is evidence, this is evidence that this took place,” Lucilia Gago said, referring to “multiple forces,” “of different origins, different origins.”
“The result is one that we all saw and therefore does not require comment. It’s all in the speech,” he added.
Regarding the speech, he also said he was glad that his words, which received a standing ovation from prosecutors at the convention, had such a “comforting response” because it meant “they were in line with what the judges felt.” adding that “obviously the boss, the leader, always takes comfort in this case.”
Lucília Gago also stated that the current election campaign is “not the time” to discuss justice reform, and stated that “in due time, later, calmly, deepening the issues and in a constructive spirit, which should exist and sometimes little, then yes, it has the meaning”.
The PGR devalued the negative assessment that Luis Montenegro, PSD leader and Prime Ministerial candidate of the Democratic Alliance (AD), gave his performance.
“I honestly don’t appreciate what can be said about me in particular. I appreciate the position of the future Prime Minister and the future Minister of Justice on justice issues and the desire he shows to change the approaches being considered and support better solutions.”
Regarding the intentions and proposals for legislative changes proposed after Operations Influential Man and the Madeira Processes, Lucília Gago acknowledged that “some may cause concern” and the issue “deserves a more detailed approach”, but for which “there is currently no time”.
Lucília Gago also dismissed any concern among the judges, following criticism, in particular from the president of the Association Syndicale de Portugal (ASJP) Manuel Soares, regarding the PGR’s reaction to the decision to impose coercive measures on the investigating judge in a case it is investigating suspected corruption in Madeira.
“I don’t believe it at all, I don’t believe it,” he said.
Over the course of three days, the SMMP Congress, dedicated to the theme “Development of the Prosecutor’s Office: Current Events, Proximity, Initiative,” will discuss working conditions, presenting research on burnout among judges, proximity to citizens and access to justice, and the use of artificial intelligence.
On the last day of the event, the 1st Congress of the International Union of Prosecutors and Public Prosecutors of Portuguese-speaking Countries will take place, where the independence and socio-professional status of MP magistrates will be discussed.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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