The BE leader accused the government of taking “wrong measures” that only benefit the “privileged elite of the country”, pointing to problems in the NHS, access to housing and the regularisation of immigrants.
Speaking to Lusa news agency as part of the State of the Nation debate taking place on Wednesday in the Assembly of the Republic, BE parliamentary leader Fabião Figueiredo noted that “the nation has become much simpler for the country’s privileged elite” and that “there is good news for those who have always had access to the privileges of successive governments.”
The blocker criticized the IRC cuts announced by the minority SDP/CDS-PP government, saying the executive wanted to “reintroduce benefits for non-residents, for non-permanent residents,” a measure he called “wrong and conducive to real estate speculation.”
“The government will certainly defend its measures, which, as we understand, are wrong, in the area of healthcare, in the area of the economy, and in the priorities of budget policy,” he said.
On the other hand, from the BE point of view, “the situation of the nation has become more difficult for immigrants who have seen the end of the only permanent, innovative mechanism of regularization, which was the expression of interest”, but also for those who want to rent a house, namely young people.
“Being young in Portugal means staying in your parents’ house or living in the same house. It is very difficult for young Portuguese to emancipate themselves, to work, to have their own home. Government measures do not solve the problem of rent, in large part because otherwise they contribute to the rise in prices,” he criticized.
Fabião Figueiredo also sees problems with access to the National Health Service (SNS), believing that the programme presented by the executive “accelerates the path” to privatisation and does not address the problem of the closure of emergency services.
“But fortunately, the government’s actions do not exhaust the state of the nation,” he said, given that these sectors have mobilized public opinion.
BE intends to position itself as an “alternative voice” and, when asked about the priorities of the panel after the parliamentary break, Fabião Figueiredo began by defining the priorities of justice reform.
“We believe that in Portugal we must discuss the problems of justice seriously, calmly, consciously and soberly,” he said, stressing the importance of ensuring access to justice for all citizens and preventing “violations of the secrecy of justice.”
“But first of all, it is necessary to ensure that those who live and work in Portugal have access to a home so that their salary guarantees a decent life,” he added.
A state of the nation debate is scheduled for Wednesday, the first since the SDP/CDU-PP minority leader took office, with Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and the rest of the government taking part.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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