“We, in this field, are in agreement and in tune with the President of the Republic, whether in the reasons or in the decisions. And the President of the Republic conveyed to us his intention to dissolve the Regional Assembly and to call elections for the May 26th. And, therefore, we leave here satisfied”, announced Paulo Cafôfo, this Wednesday, after the meeting with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Miguel Albuquerque has already reacted, stating that “if it is necessary to go to elections, we will go to elections, without any problems”. The president of PSD/Madeira says he is prepared for any scenario, but emphasizes that the ideal would be to maintain government stability.
The President of the Republic has been holding meetings in Lisbon since 10 am this Wednesday with the nine parties with parliamentary seats in Madeira. At 6pm the Council of State will meet, where Marcelo is expected to confirm the dissolution of the Assembly and the call for early elections. The head of state regained the power to dissolve the archipelago’s parliament this week, six months after regional elections were held on September 24, 2023.
On the same day, the PAN’s sole deputy, Mónica Freitas, refused to have any formal agreement with the PSD, but admitted to being available to make the Regional Government Program and the region’s Budget viable if there are no elections. Previously, the party had said that it would only maintain the understanding if Albuquerque left the executive presidency.
“Doctor Miguel Albuquerque is capable of continuing to perform his duties as president of the Regional Government, furthermore due to two very recent facts. The PSD/CDS coalition unequivocally wins the elections [legislativas] on March 10th to the Assembly of the Republic and has another legitimacy that comes from a very recent internal process”, said Rui Barreto this Wednesday, after leaving the audience with the President of the Republic.
“We understand that there are conditions for a majority between PSD and CDS of 23 deputies in the regional parliament to guarantee conditions of stability, the pursuit of policies on behalf of the people of the Autonomous Region of Madeira”, added Rui Barreto.
However, the leader of CDS-PP/Madeira stressed that the party is “very prepared” to go to elections, if Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s option is to dissolve parliament and call new elections.
Albuquerque refused to resign, but after the PAN, which ensures the absolute majority in the Legislative Assembly, took political confidence from him, the social democrat announced his resignation and the executive was left in management.
w/Lusa
Tags: Early elections Madeira Marcelo dissolve regional Parliament
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