The rejection of populism and the assurance that the CDS respects “personal guidelines” are new features in the proposed Statement of Principles, coordinated by Lobo Xavier, which aims to update the original document written in 1974.
“During its history, the CDS has always been a haven of moderation and tolerance, and its ideas are aimed at everyone, without distinction based on origin, creed or personal orientation. It is an opponent of aggressive, violent language or exclusion, of speech that encourages hatred and the lack of precision in political struggles.”reads the proposal that Lusa had access to.
António Lobo Xavier led the group responsible for drafting the proposal for the new Declaration of Principles, which will be presented on Saturday, discussed with party bases and voted on in the National Council and at the next Congress, scheduled for 2024.
The CDS-PP, founded in 1974 as the ‘Social-Democratic Centre’, three months after the April 25 revolution, is fighting for survival today, having lost parliamentary representation in the 2022 parliamentary elections, in the same election in which Chega won the election. third political force, after the PS and PSD.
In this document, titled “Free, Democratic and Social,” the CDS highlights what separates it from “all populisms” and claims to address them. “to the political space of the center right and democratic right, with a history of resistance to totalitarianism”.
In 1974 the CDS already defended the diversity of parties and refused “all kinds of totalitarianism or dictatorship, whether proletariat or bourgeoisie”, such as “lack of respect for minorities or any form of discrimination against citizens’ rights”. Expressions such as ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’ or bourgeoisie, historical references to the future of ‘overseas territories’ and the defense of membership in the ‘common market’ have now been removed.
In this proposal, the CDS affirms its commitment to the values of Christian Democracy, now “from a non-denominational and inclusive perspective”, the defense of social justice “in the light of universal Christianity” and strengthens conviction in the pluralistic democracy, rejecting “all populism”.
“The CDS therefore rejects all populism, left or right, of a markedly domestic nature or of international inspiration, as tools for an attack on democracy”political manipulation, radicalization and excessive conflict”, is the proposal of Lobo Xavier, former parliamentary leader of the CDS.
Defending the dignity of the human person “It is independent of the condition of specific men, in that its intensity does not vary depending on whether they are immigrants or nationals, workers or entrepreneurs, men or women, young or old”.
The document notes that for decades the CDS has “gained the support and support of democratic liberals and conservatives,” the social state and has championed the “correction of inequality,” economic freedom, and “traditional values,” without “compromising with nationalistic extremes”.
The proposal maintains the same values and includes commitments that are said to be adapted to historical circumstances, such as “taking care of nature and respecting the planet for future generations”, as well as “overcoming the demographic deficit and taking good care of the elderly’. .
Strengthening public support “for the care of the elderly and the continuing care network” is included in the document, which proposes a “national commitment” that guarantees “the stability of family policies and regulated immigration”.
The proposal will be presented by Lobo Xavier on Saturday at a programmatic convention in Lisbon with former presidents Manuel Monteiro, Paulo Portas and Assunção Cristas, and will be concluded by the current leader, Nuno Melo.
Source: DN
