Ventura asks the authors of the justice manifesto to respect the principle of separation of powers

The President of Chega, André Ventura, this Friday advised the subscribers of the manifesto on justice to “read a little more” and “take the separation of powers seriously”, refusing to limit the Office of the Public Prosecutor (MP) and the police.

“I advised Dr. Ferro Rodríguez, Dr. Augusto Santos Silva, Dr. Rui Rio, whose name I also saw in this manifesto, to read a little more and take the separation of powers seriously,” said Andre Ventura in Beja.

Speaking to reporters about the manifesto while visiting an agricultural fair in Ovibeje, the Chegi leader acknowledged that “justice must be discussed” but refused to do so “on a case-by-case basis and with the aim of limiting or conditioning the powers of the government.” Deputy and judicial police.”

“I deeply disagree with the idea that when it comes to politicians, one way or another, directly or indirectly, with more or less evidence, politicians come together to ensure justice,” he stressed.

Admitting that this may not even be in the spirit of the authors, Ventura emphasized that “this is the image that passes.”

“Other people, including politicians, businessmen, citizens, wait six, seven, 10 years, and suddenly, since this affected two top-level politicians, the former prime minister and the chairman of the regional government, we want to immediately launch mechanisms that will determine deputy,” he said.

As an alternative, President Chegi argued that justice sector reform should be carried out taking into account the “unlimited resources that exist in Portuguese law” and the “possibility of limiting time limits so that there are no mega-trials.”

“This is what we need to focus on,” he stressed.

Ventura also said that he heard with “great concern” the words of Pedro Nuno Santos, who, during his visit to Ovibeja, considered the manifesto of 50 personalities on justice “very welcome.”

“I find it very strange that the leader of the Socialist Party thinks this is a good manifesto” because “this is the biggest attack on justice since the Casa Pia trial in Lisbon and that is why they will not pass us by,” he said. added.

President Chegi insisted that if the PS and SDP unite to carry out this reform, the party he leads “will submit an application to the Constitutional Court for a preventive check of this diploma, since it directly violates the separation of powers.”

A group of 50 figures called on the President of the Republic, the government and parliament to take initiatives that, while respecting the independence of the courts, the autonomy of the deputy and the guarantees of judicial protection, would resolve “the stifling and dysfunction that has long since undermined its effectiveness and public legitimacy.”

The petition was signed, in particular, by former parliamentary chairmen Augusto Santos Silva, Ferro Rodríguez and Mota Amaral, former PSD and CDU leaders Rui Rio and Francisco Rodrigues dos Santos, former ministers Leonor Belesa, David Justino, Fernando Negrao, António Vitorino, José Vieira da Silva , António Barreto, Correia de Campos, Alberto Costa, Pinto Ribeiro, Maria de Lourdes Rodríguez and former President of the Constitutional Court João Kaupers.

In statements to journalists, Andre Ventura also expressed hope that the government would include “an immediate settlement of the state’s very high debts to farmers” in possible budget amendments.

President Chega’s visit began approximately 30 minutes after PS Secretary General Pedro Nuno Santos’ visit began, and both delegations were very close, without a greeting from the two party leaders.