CDU list leader calls for votes to “stop militarism” and “counteract the rise of reactionary forces”

Presenting his candidacy this Thursday, João Oliveira asked for a vote for the CDU in the European elections in order to “stop militarism” and “confront the rise of reactionary forces.”

The head of the list defends a “Europe of peace and sovereignty” of the people, promising to fight “regressive and hateful policies (…) in the service of big capital.”

João Oliveira also insisted that “the path Portugal is on is unsustainable” and argued that “the EU is increasingly interfering in areas of national competence, even in democratically sensitive areas such as press freedom and censorship.”

“For decades, the EU has been presented to us as the promise of a bright future in the land of milk and honey, but even milk quotas have prevented it from maintaining the illusion of a tomorrow that will never come,” he said.

This Thursday, the President of the Republic officially announced the appointment of European elections for June 9.

Paulo Raimundo

The PKP secretary general kicked off the European elections by declaring that the EU was “at the service of big business” and that the euro had only brought “economic stagnation”, “wage suppression” and a reduction in public investment.

“If they do this, then this is where they pay, and they pay for what is also at stake in this election,” he said in a speech in which he then took stock of what he saw as Portugal’s development since accession to the EU. European Union (EU) in 1986.

Considering that the EU “is at the service of big business,” Raimundo emphasized that “community funds and the so-called “bazookas” do not compensate, as never before, for everything that was given up and given away.” in the development of the country.

“The truth is that with the introduction of the euro, the country experienced only economic stagnation, wage suppression, cuts in services and public investment,” he said, believing that the consequences of the “loss of national sovereignty” were very obvious “during the pact of aggression.” “threes””, and now with the increase in interest rates announced by the ECB.

Raimundo also said that the country, “following orders from the EU”, has “transferred every one of its strategic companies abroad” and is now preparing to add TAP, and criticized the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC), which he believes will “oblige the country to buy for abroad is what it previously produced.”

Continuing to criticize the current measures, the communist leader noted that new European budget rules, due to come into force in May, give the European Commission “full powers to set the rate of reduction of the country’s debt”, “less investment, more cuts in public services, further privatization, offensive on labor rights and social protection.”

“The correct calculations of the EU options and right-wing policies are upsetting the lives of millions of people, as was expressed during the vast majority of the PS and which they want to worsen due to the balance of power” resulting from the legislative elections, he said.

Raimundo also believes that the EU “seems to want to ban the word ‘peace'” and “wants to continue to spend more and more billions of euros on war, on weapons and in the pockets of those who profit from death and human suffering, be it in Ukraine” . , Palestine or any other conflict.”

Stressing that the action is aimed at giving the CDU a “start” in Europe, Raimundo stressed that the coalition will go to these elections “with the courage of those who do not give up” and “those who stand up to the great lords.” money and the capitalist system.”