“History does not repeat itself”: Marcelo contradicts Cavaco over early elections

The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, this Friday rejected the proposal for early legislative elections put forward by his predecessor Anibal Cavaco Silva, in an opinion article published in the newspaper. To express.

Former head of state and former prime minister Cavaco Silva listed the priorities for “Portugal to take an important step forward in terms of family well-being and move closer to the richest countries in the European Union” in the next ten years: domestic production, productivity and external competitiveness.”

Achieving these goals depends “primarily on the political structure,” he said. The only two ways Cavaco Silva has found for this “leap forward” are “a government enjoying the support of a majority in the Assembly of the Republic after legislative elections, early or not,” or an executive minority, provided that “extremist parties “lose” weight” and conclude “regime pacts” with the opposition.

The current head of state began by refusing to comment on “statements by predecessors,” but ended by highlighting the difference between the present and the time when Cavaco Silva was prime minister. “History does not repeat itself. Today’s history is not the same as in 1985. In 1985, there was a minority government, we did not have European rules – we had not yet entered the European Communities – and even less did we make these European rules. We do not need to meet the PRR or Portugal 2030,” Marcelo said.

Continuing his warnings, he contrasted the 1985 party system, in which “the PS was broken, with the growth of the PRD party.” [Partido Renovador Democrático]”, to the current one, characterized by “multifaceted law.” And he emphasized: “Solutions that theoretically work at one moment do not necessarily work at another moment. Let’s be realistic.”

According to Marcelo, there are several arguments in favor of stability. “The inflation rate has decreased, the growth forecasts are good, the unemployment rate and the jobs created are in good figures by European standards, the trade balance has improved,” he listed. “In Europe, where important countries are experiencing problems with growth, Portugal is holding up well, despite the change of government and political crises,” the head of state defended.

Marcelo says he refuses to “reflect on the next years” – remembering that “the election years are 2025 and 2026” – and insists on the need “that the budget can be adopted in four months.” Regarding “regime agreements”, he considers them “always necessary”, both with majority and minority governments.