AD accuses PS of handing over migration policy to networks of human traffickers and receives criticism in the form of demagoguery

The head of the AD list in this Monday’s European elections accused the PS of ceding migration policy in Portugal to human trafficking networks, a position the Socialist candidate classified as “demagoguery and lack of seriousness.”

The topic of migration marked the first debate of the European elections, which took place today at the SIC and brought together the heads of the list from AD Sebastián Bugalho, PS, Marta Temido, IL, João Cotrima de Figueiredo and Livre, Francisco. Pauperio.

All candidates acknowledged gaps in the Pact on Migration and Asylum, already approved by the European Parliament, but only the Livre MEP candidate categorically rejected it.

This topic generated the heaviest exchange of arguments in the debate, which took place without major interruptions for about 50 minutes, with Sebastian Bugallo of AD (the coalition that joins the PSD/CDS-PP) arguing that the limitations of the European pact “Don’t justify ” what is happening with migration in Portugal, saying that 400 thousand immigrants are waiting for their process to be completed.

“All they have to do is express a declaration of interest and they can stay in the country for up to two years, the problem is that they are vulnerable to human trafficking networks. The PS has handed over migration policy in Portugal to human trafficking networks,” he accused.

In her response, Marta Temido considered that the assertion that maintaining the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) would prevent human trafficking networks was a position of “deep demagoguery and lack of seriousness.”

Regarding the European Pact, the former health minister acknowledged that it is a “possible compromise” but pointed out weaknesses that require “care and commitment in its application,” stressing that the PS does not advocate “building walls like the People’s Pact.” The European Party presents its program.”

Bugalho stressed that this position was opposed by the Portuguese delegation and acknowledged that the PES – the European political family of the PSD and SDS-PP – has a “harder and more orthodox” view on the issue of migration, proposing that the minimum wage stipulated in the agreement a skilled immigrant could receive a Blue Card.

Cotrim de Figueiredo, whose differences with Livra’s candidate were more obvious throughout the discussion, expressed “100% agreement” with the AD candidate’s vision of possible improvements, and also criticized the situation in the country.

“IL and others warned what would happen with the disappearance of SEF. It was extremely irresponsible and not for lack of warning,” he said.

Francisco Pauperio suggested that Livre was openly opposed to the pact, which allows for “the separation of families and the expansion of borders” and which places a “price on the lives of refugees”, advocating the creation of humanitarian corridors as an alternative.

“It is estimated that there will be 250 million climate refugees by 2050, trying to reach Europe, and this pact is not prepared for this event,” he warned.

The four candidates expressed support for EU enlargement to the East, with AD and IL leaders saying the debate was not about the money Portugal could lose but what “Europe could gain”, and Bugalho suggesting countries with candidate status could be invited to participate in some EU ministerial meetings.

“We have an unequivocal commitment to the process of enlargement of several countries, including Ukraine. This is not a process of free accession, it requires adaptation on the part of the European Union itself, it involves institutional and budgetary reforms,” Marta, in turn, said. I was afraid.

Asked about the need to increase EU investment in security and defence, the Livre candidate said that Europe needed a “common defense policy” before talking about united armies.

“At the moment we cannot transfer equipment between armies,” he warned and welcomed the fact that the common policy allows “all military contracts to be scrutinized” in the light of EU rules, with Cotrim accusing Livre of often wanting to ” create obstacles” to innovation.

The AD candidate saw it as a priority for Europe to become a “pillar of NATO” and reduce its dependence on the US, advocating the issuance of joint debt to finance defense.

“I’m very concerned about what I just heard. Do we recognize a mutual debt for defense but not for housing?” asked Marta Temido, recognizing, however, also the need to strengthen the common defense policy.