Arrival in Azores surprised by chief’s admission that he had backed away from prioritising kindergartens

Chega Asores said on Tuesday that she was “surprised” by the intention of the regional government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) to abandon priority access to daycare for children of working parents, given that it “kneels before a speech distorted by the left.”

In its statement, the parliamentary group recalled that the party’s proposal – a draft resolution – “was approved by a majority in the regional legislative assembly.”

The President of the Azores Executive, Social Democrat José Manuel Bolheiro, told reporters in Horta on Monday after visiting the Escola do Mar dos Açores school that the regional government’s intention for nurseries is to adapt the supply of vacancies to existing demand, so that all parents and caregivers can “adequately respond” to their needs.

On July 12, the Azorean Parliament approved the Chegi resolution (which does not have the force of law), which recommends that the regional government change the rules for access to free kindergartens in the Azores, giving priority to children of working parents, justifying this change by the lack of vacancies for the growing demand in the archipelago.

The measure has been opposed by some political parties, who consider the resolution “discriminatory” and “punishing” children from families with fewer financial resources and unemployment.

Following the statements by Boleiro (who governs without an absolute majority), Chega Azores said she does not see herself “in a government that retreats at the slightest disturbance in the waters.”

“It appears that the Azores regional government has lost its autonomy and has become subservient to the whims of Montenegro. [presidente do PSD]in Lisbon. Moreover, he does not respect the Azores Parliament, which approved this recommendation by a majority, without wanting to implement it or even change its meaning,” said parliamentary leader José Pacheco, quoted in the note.

In his opinion, the executive power of the archipelago “bows down before the distorted speech of the left, which has inflamed public opinion by declaring that children’s rights are being taken away – an oratory very typical of the left, which has spent 50 years deceiving people.”

“They have forgotten that they have been taking away children’s rights for a long time, not allowing working families to be the first to have the opportunity to send their children to kindergarten, and other parents who do nothing and do not want to do anything, ultimately unfairly receive this priority,” the parliamentary leader of Chegi in the Azores justified himself.

According to the leader of the party in the archipelago, a government “that lives or survives at the whim of commentators and social instigators cannot continue to exist.”

“If now the regional government of the Azores thinks it can retreat from its position, which was more than fair, then Chega is no longer in a position to support this wavering government that lacks the courage to change the situation,” admitted José Pacheco.

The parliamentary group ends by stating that it “does not accept this type of governance”: “The Azores needs strong leadership, bold and decisive, so that all Azoreans have a better quality of life.”

The approval in the Legislative Assembly included votes in favour from Chegi, SDP, CDS-PP and PPM, and an abstention from IL.

Chega is the third political force in the region and after the regional elections earlier this year even demanded to join the regional executive power to make the government’s program viable. In the end, it abstained from voting.