“In Portugal, the far right says it wants to establish a new republic and rejects the authority of the speaker of parliament [Augusto Santos Silva]the militants besiege political parties [nomeadamente do PS]parliamentarians carry out provocative actions during demonstrations organized by left-wing parties [como a da Habitação, de dia 30 de setembro] and, as the Constitutional Court has declared, its internal statutes are undemocratic.” The sentence came from Paulo Pisco, PS delegate, who said it on Monday at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
Since the beginning of the legislature, in 2022, the relationship between Augusto Santos Silva and André Ventura has not been a bed of roses. On several occasions, the Speaker of Parliament warned the Chega deputy (or another parliamentarian from the party) about his behavior in the plenary or regarding the content of the interventions. The latest case occurred a week ago, when Ventura Santos questioned Silva to ask the Speaker of Parliament to condemn the alleged attacks on party delegates committed during the Housing demonstration. By not doing this, Santos Silva still left criticism of the way Ventura’s party approached the matter. Because he did not like it, the president of Chega – and by extension the entire bank – left the plenary meeting in protest.
Last Tuesday, Paulo Pisco, on behalf of the Socialists and Democrats (to which the Socialists in the European Parliament belong), in a debate on the challenges of the far right in the field of democracy and human rights in Europe, addressed Chega (and recalled these episodes) , without ever mentioning the name of André Ventura’s party. He also warned that the impact of radical right parties and movements “has grown alongside the influence and sophistication of Internet and social media”and “through these channels, citizens are inundated with disinformation, fake news, manipulation and radicalization.”
To address the problem, the Council of Europe adopted a report on the subject, with 102 votes in favor, 15 against and three abstentions. Divided into five sections (and a conclusion), the approved document, which DN had access to, covers various topics, such as legal responses and the socio-cultural responses to it can be done to counter the rise of these more radical ideas. In fact, the introductory summary argues that “Politicians and parties must be at the forefront of responses to extremismboth in the public defense of human rights and democratic principles, and in the unequivocal rejection of all forms of racism, intolerance or intimidation”. Therefore, there remains a call – “for a respectful and inclusive dialogue” – and an encouragement – “to political parties to sign the Charter of European Political Parties [criada em 1998] for a non-racist and inclusive society”.
Speaking to DN, Paulo Pisco explained that the debate arose from “the growing contestation over the way societies have suffered from far-right parties and attacks on democratic and humanist values”. “They want to question these fundamental values, hence the decision to debate this issue and adopt a report”, he adds.
“Fighting far-right ideology is a moral obligation for all democrats if we want to prevent the degradation of our democracies.”
Once approved, the report is non-binding (that is, it does not have the force of law) and serves as a set of recommendations to member states (46 in total, including the 27 from the European Union). “To this end, it will be discussed at the meeting of the Council of Ministers of each Member State. The intention is to strengthen and recommend strengthening the rule of law and democracy in the countries,” added Paulo Pisco.
Recalling that “extremist movements have often been or continue to be financed by Russia and are responsible for the unacceptable violation of the Charter of the United Nations and for all types of war crimes in Ukraine,” the socialist also opined during the intervention that it is not possible “to forget that his inspiration comes from fascist and authoritarian ideologies”.
As a result, Paulo Pisco’s communications were not limited only to the Portuguese case. In his intervention – very critical of the most radical right-wing ideologies – the deputy chosen by the Europe Circle devoted several paragraphs to the international context. “They pose a threat to the European Union project, which was built to reject the confrontation of nationalism and identities and instead promote dialogue and cooperation. They block decisions in the European Union with dramatic consequences in the field of migration, preventing lives from being saved in the Mediterranean. They kill the meaning of humanism and solidarity,” he said, referring to the policies of some states (“such as Hungary, which is already a problem in the European context”).” “We must raise our voices to defend tolerance, inclusive and pluralistic societies, with health measures if necessary. Fighting against far-right ideology is a duty livesFor all democrats, if we want to avoid the degradation of our democracies,” he concluded.
Source: DN
