The Regional Legislative Assembly of the Azores begins this Wednesday in the city of Horta, Faial island, the Program XIV of the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM), which, if rejected by an absolute majority of votes, will lead to the dismissal of the head.
The presentation of the program of the new Azores government, led by Social Democrat Jose Manuel Bolheiro, will begin at 10:00 local time (11:00 Lisbon time), with debate expected to last until Friday, according to the agenda published by the regional government. parliament.
The document containing the main policies and measures that will be proposed to the entire legislature was handed over to the President of the Legislative Assembly, Luis García, on Thursday by the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estevan.
The new coalition government of the PSD/CDU-PP/NPM, which came to power on March 4 after winning early regional elections on February 4 but without an absolute majority, will face its first “trial by fire” in the debate and vote on the program, since if it is rejected by an absolute majority votes, this will lead to the resignation of the executive.
PS and BE have already stated that they will vote against the document, while IL and PAN have stated that they want to first evaluate the content of the program and only then take their position.
Chega, the third-largest political force in the Azores, initially made the direction of the vote conditional on the party’s entry into the coalition government, but this demand was not implemented. However, he now admits that he has established an understanding with the SDP, the largest party in the coalition.
Upon taking office, José Manuel Bolheiro, who had said on election night that he would govern with a relative majority, called for government stability and recalled that parties would have to “take on their responsibilities” if the government were toppled.
On Sunday, the leader of the Azores executive told reporters he was calm about discussing the document, which he considers a “good program”, and said he believed in a “sense of responsibility” on the part of the opposition. sides.
“My peace of mind is my conscience. Then everyone is responsible for themselves. And I am convinced that there will definitely be a sense of responsibility,” he emphasized.
The government official also assured that he has done and will do everything “to ensure the stability of the government, because this is in the interests of the Azores,” although the decision will be up to the “parliamentary chess players” who will make a decision on the document.
José Manuel Bolheiro also recalled that the executive branch will be in “permanent dialogue” and explained that the preparation of the government program, based on the electoral program of the SDS/CDU-PP/PPM coalition, has a “contribution” from a “survey” that he himself conducted regarding the electoral programs of other parties, to ensure that “this study is intended for the people of the Azores and for everyone.”
According to the Political-Administrative Statute of the Azores, the discussion of the government program must take place no later than the 15th day after the assumption of office by the executive, and the discussion of the document “cannot exceed three days.”
Before the end of the debate, any parliamentary group can propose rejection of the executive’s program, and approval of this rejection by an absolute majority “implies the resignation of the government.”
The PSD/CDU-NP/PPM coalition won the regional elections and elected 26 deputies, three less than the 29 needed for an absolute majority, while the PS elected 23 deputies, Chegu five, and BE, IL and PAN one by one.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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