The National Democratic Alternative (ADN) has taken precautionary measures against RTP, SIC and TVI because these TV channels did not include the party in the televised debates in the European elections on June 9, ADN said.
In a statement, ADN justifies the precaution, considering that “the principles of impartiality, equality and political pluralism, the basic principles of organizing election debates, are not respected.”
“Although the ADN does not have a seat in the European Parliament, neither do the Cega, Liberal Initiative and Livre parties, so the different behavior of the candidates cannot be understood,” the party emphasizes.
The ADN emphasizes that “the criteria for journalistic decisions related to the participation of parties in televised election debates cannot contradict legal regulations that implement constitutional principles, namely the principle of equal opportunities and treatment of different candidates.”
In the understanding of the ADN, editorial freedom of the media cannot take precedence over constitutional norms.
The party recalls that in the legislative elections on March 10, the ADN received more than one hundred thousand votes, “in other words, it had almost four times as many votes as the party placed immediately next, making it the only party eligible for government subsidies, but which still has no representation in the Portuguese Parliament.”
According to the party, “the non-inclusion of the ADN party in the program of television debates of parties entitled to state subsidies is a gross violation of the principle of equal opportunities.”
Also remember that in the European elections held on 26 May 2019, only PS, PPD-PSD, BE, PCP-PEV, CDS-PP and PAN elected Members of the European Parliament.
“Parties such as Chega, Liberal Initiative and Livre did not elect deputies in the previously mentioned elections, which is common knowledge, and are on an equal footing with the ADN party in this regard,” the party states.
Former MP Joana Amaral Díaz is leading the ADN list in the European elections with the aim of winning at least one mandate in the European Parliament.
Elections to the European Parliament, in which voters in 27 member states elect 720 members of parliament, will take place from June 6 to 9. In Portugal, voting is scheduled for the 9th to select 21 national representatives in the European hemicycle.