Representative of the Republic of Madeira says the government remains in power

“In short, I believe that it is preferable to maintain the current situation with the XIV Regional Government, which will perform administrative functions for a few weeks, possibly extended if elections are called, rather than appoint a new regional government. , that, even before I knew about the unresolved problems, I could soon also take up leadership positions,” Ireneu Barreto said today in a statement to journalists at the Palacio de São Lourenço in Funchal.

He also said that the government “has all the conditions to work.”

“This is my decision. This is good, this is bad, only the future will tell,” he said.

The decision was announced a day after Ireneu Barreto met with the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in Lisbon.

The representative of the republic already heard last week the parties represented in the regional legislative assembly.

On January 24, the Judicial Police (SP) carried out some 130 searches at home and outside, mainly in Madeira, but also in the Azores and various parts of the continent, as part of the process of investigating suspicions of active and passive actions. corruption, participation in business economic activities, malfeasance, receiving or offering undue advantage, abuse of power and undue influence.

Following this operation, the SP detained the then mayor of Funchal Pedro Calado (NSD), who also resigned from his post, the leader of the AFA construction group Avelino Fariña and the main shareholder of the civil engineering group Socicorreia. , Custodio Correia.

The three accused were released on Wednesday with identification documents and residence permits, three weeks after their arrest.