The head of the PSD/Madeira list for this Friday’s regional elections denied the claim that the party is being damaged by suspicions of corruption and accusations by the opposition of using the resources of the regional government for the election campaign.
“No, I think it brought some benefit. Firstly, because I did not use any means, and secondly, because the opposition’s complaints are already 48 years old, they are already covered with cobwebs, they are always the same,” – Miguel stated. Albuquerque, questioned by journalists.
“They have been saying the same thing for 48 years,” confirmed the outgoing regional government chairman, who has been charged with corruption and is re-nominating his candidacy for the May 26 regional elections.
On the sixth day of the campaign, Miguel Albuquerque went to the sports pavilion in the Caniço parish of the municipality of Santa Cruz, accompanied by a small delegation, but without flags or any campaign materials.
The Social Democrat entered the pavilion as a candidate, where he observed the sporting events taking place, and then, in statements to journalists, pledged to build a new sports pavilion in the parish if he was re-elected.
“We understand that it is imperative to commit to building a multi-purpose pavilion here in Caniso Parish to serve both clubs and youth, and to increase the number of athletes and practitioners,” he stressed.
Miguel Albuquerque estimates that the new infrastructure will cost around 13 million euros, saying that “it will be equipped with multifunctional functions for the practice of different sports and in accordance with the interests of clubs, associations and schools.”
The Madeira Legislative Assembly will take place on May 26, with 14 candidates vying for 47 seats in the regional parliament in one electoral district: ADN, BE, PS, Livre, IL, RIR, CDU (PCP/PEV), Chega, CDS. – PP, MPT, PSD, PAN, PTP and JPP.
The early elections will take place eight months after the last regional legislative elections, after the President of the Republic dissolved the Parliament of Madeira following the political crisis provoked in January, when the leader of the regional government (PSD/CDU-PP), Miguel Albuquerque, was named as a defendant in the process, in during which suspicions of corruption are being investigated.
In September 2023, the PSD/SDS coalition won without an absolute majority and elected 23 deputies. The PS received 11 mandates, the JPP five, Cega four, and the CDU, IL, PAN (which signed an agreement on parliamentary influence with the Social Democrats) and BE received one mandate each.
The PSD has always ruled the archipelago and won 11 elections with an absolute majority between 1976 and 2015. In 2019, it lost its absolute majority for the first time by signing a governance agreement with the SDS, and in 2023 the vote was already tied to the centrists.
In this special election, both parties will vote separately.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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