The elected representative of People-Animais-Natureza (PAN) for the Assembly of Madeira, Mónica Freitas, said that the party has only concluded “a preliminary agreement” with the PSD to guarantee the stability of the government, but retains its parliamentary identity .
“This was now a preliminary agreement to understand whether or not the stability of the government was guaranteed. What the PAN always wanted to agree on is whether or not we would be able to defend our goals, because only then would it make sense to sign this agreement. “, said the deputy in an interview with Lusa agency.
Mónica Freitas emphasized that the negotiations were aimed at an “agreement in principle” and that from now on it will be a “matter of work” between the two parties.
The PSD/CDS-PP coalition won the regional parliamentary elections on Sunday, but fell one deputy short of an absolute majority. A parliamentary advocacy deal was announced on Tuesday with the PAN, which won a mandate.
The future PAN parliamentarian emphasized that the term “the party’s flagship measures” had been chosen, but that this does not alter the fact that the PAN cannot make proposals on other subjects during the four years of the legislature, and therefore its parliamentary can exercise representation.
The deputy said that in the parliamentary influence agreement, the PAN commits to approving Madeira’s regional government program and budget.
“The PAN, in accordance with its principles and as long as there is nothing that makes us retract our decision, will approve this [o Programa e o Orçamento]. That is what is in the agreement,” he said, emphasizing, however, the “hypothesis of pre-negotiating these documents and other legislative initiatives with the PSD/CDS coalition.
Regarding other legislative proposals, Mónica Freitas indicated that nothing “dictates what the party’s position will be: “We will make our own decisions.”
The elected official reiterated that the agreement has a term of four years and assured that the party’s measures, despite no timetable yet, “will be implemented.”
As examples, Mónica Freitas pointed to the introduction of a tourist tax in the region, support for organic farming, free vaccination for animals, modernization of income support and the creation of autonomous housing for victims of domestic violence, further indicating the party’s intention to have “an active and predominant voice” regarding animal and environmental issues.
“PAN will be here to make its own demands and will have to do its own work to ensure that they are met,” he stated.
However, he added that the party is “prepared for all possible scenarios”, not ruling out breaking the agreement in an extreme situation.
“But for now we want to hold on to the idea that there is good faith, this commitment. The PAN will work and be seriously committed to its goals and ensure that the proposals that were highlighted are implemented,” he stressed.
The elected deputy acknowledged that “some concessions” will have to be made, but that “the negotiations entail exactly that.”
“From my point of view, we have succeeded not only the PAN, but also Madeira and Porto Santo, in creating a historic moment in the politics of the region,” he emphasized.
The doors are “open” for dialogue with all parties
Mónica Freitas assured that the party, despite having signed an agreement with the PSD, is available for dialogue with all other political forces.
“For the good of democracy, it is important to have these negotiations with all parties, this dialogue with all parties and that we can all work for the good of the population,” he stated.
“We once again have this plurality in parliament and for the first time this agreement on parliamentary influence has been concluded. We have a government that does not have a majority [absoluta]but we have managed to maintain the stability of the government here while at the same time asserting those causes and meeting the needs of the people,” he argued.
Speaking about his expectations for the next four years, he noted: “That this work can be done in a democratic way and that we can go beyond party colors, think, negotiate and work for the benefit of the people of Madeira and Porto Santo”.
“That is why we have this opening for a dialogue with all parties and we are available for that. When we say the doors are open, it applies to all parties, and not just in one direction,” he emphasized.
Mónica Freitas thought it was “important in politics to open new avenues”, emphasizing that “PAN has a different way of doing politics”.
“But from our side, our commitment is to continue fighting for our goals and ensure that we make such a difference,” he stressed.
The elected deputy said the party has “several extremely important files” but stated that she was “aware that [o partido] You can’t be there and do everything,” because there will only be one female deputy in the conference center.
According to Mónica Freitas, “the issue of housing is a priority, although it is not included in the flagship proposals” included in the agreement with the PSD, as well as initiatives in the field of health, which are included in the election manifesto.
“Despite those 10 measures [do acordo]that are most feasible for us and can be effectively implemented within four years, there are still several that the PAN wants to defend and will do so,” he added.
He asked voters who voted for the PAN to “be patient” and wait for the work to be carried out.
“Judge our work over the past four years and not just now on the basis of a decision taken,” he appealed, guaranteeing that the party will not deceive “the people who voted.”
“To all the residents of Madeira and Porto Santos, we must state that we are aware of the responsibility and the challenge before us, but that we will work tirelessly for the common good,” he concluded.
According to the official map showing the results of the regional parliamentary elections in Madeira, of the 47 mandates to be granted, the PSD/CDS coalition obtained the majority, with 23 deputies, the PS elected eleven, the JPP five and Chega four, while the PCP / PEV coalition, IL, PAN and BE each elected one deputy.
Source: DN
