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

The representative of the Republic of Madeira, Ireneu Barreto, will retain the regional government and leadership in his post until the head of state decides to dissolve the Legislative Assembly, which can only happen after March 24.

“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 in which, without even knowing about the unresolved problems, I will soon be able to also assume leadership responsibilities,” Ireneu Barreto said this Saturday in a statement to journalists at the Palacio de San Lourenzo in Funchal.

Madeira government leader Miguel Albuquerque resigned after being indicted as part of an investigation into suspected corruption in the region, leading to his leadership being removed from the PSD/CDU-PP coalition backed by parliament. PAN.

In his statement, Ireneu Barreto recalled that there were two options on the negotiating table: maintaining the current regional government in leadership positions or appointing a new executive president.

“This is certainly a questionable decision that can be reversed from the moment it is possible to know the position of the President of the Republic,” said the spokesman, who met Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Belém Palace on Friday. in Lisbon.

The President of the Republic can only dissolve the Parliament of Madeira after 24 March, six months after the last regional legislative elections.

If the dissolution occurs, Ireneu Barreto said, the new regional chief executive “will remain in power until the new government appointed by the election results comes to power.”

“The appointment of a regional government which, although it would have possible parliamentary support, would not have that which comes from electoral suffrage and would inevitably make it susceptible to the possibility of being dismissed in the short term following the dissolution of the government. Legislative Assembly,” he warned.

If the head of state decides not to dissolve the regional parliament, the representative of the republic will appoint “the president and other members of the new regional government.”

The PSD and SDS-PP, which govern the region in a coalition with parliamentary support from the PAN, have pushed in recent weeks for the appointment of a new executive leader, given that the parliamentary majority has the legitimacy to support a new regional government. , thus seeking to avoid early elections defended by the remaining parties with seats in the Legislative Assembly.

Regarding the continuity of the managerial government in power, the consulting judge recalled that it “can and must take all necessary, urgent and urgent actions, namely those necessary for the PRR [Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência] be completed within the specified time frame.”

Ireneu Barreto also called the Constitution the protector of the sacked regional government president, saying that this quality “does not detract” from Miguel Albuquerque’s ability to carry out his duties.

“This status is provided to you for better access to the process and organization of your defense. The fair process inherent in a democratic state of law enshrines the principle of the presumption of innocence, a principle that has material density, a holistic and pure principle that does not allow for objections,” he explained.

At the beginning of his speech, Ireneu Barreto once again expressed regret that the Legislative Assembly of the region did not have the opportunity to approve the regional budget “with all the consequences arising from its absence.”

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.