The government of the Azores, led by José Manuel Bolieiro, will not resign in the hypothetical scenario in which the archipelago’s budget fails. The guarantee was given yesterday by Pedro Gomes, member of the region’s Social Democratic Political Commission, who attributed the consequences of the regional budget lead to the parties that voted against it.
“If this happens, the responsibility for leadership will lie with the parties that fail to meet the Budget and the government will continue with its functions and duties”stated the member of the PSD Regional Political Commission.
This is the first debate on the regional budget that has taken place since the Liberal Initiative and the independent deputy elected by Chega relinquished the parliamentary influence deal that allowed José Manuel Bolieiro’s executive to govern the region with an absolute majority .
At issue is the departure of the Liberal Initiative’s deputy in the Azores parliament, Nuno Barata, in March this year from the parliamentary advocacy agreement that linked the party to the regional executive, led by the PSD. Nuno Barata was one of two deputies to walk away from the management agreement. The same route was followed by Chega’s chosen deputy, Carlos Furtado, who also eventually denounced the agreement that allowed a majority government to the Social Democrats.
No absolute majority
Of the 57 mandates allocated to deputies in the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, the PS chose 25, the PSD 21, the CDS three and the PPM two, as happened with the Bloco de Esquerda. However, the Liberal Initiative, PAN and Chega each have one deputy, and there is still one independent, former Chega. With these figures and maintaining alliances between CDS, Chega and PPM, the regional government, led by the PSD, will gain a total of 27 deputies with votes in favor of the budget, but will need two more to reach an absolute majority .
‘Honor’ the agreement
In March, Nuno Barata claimed that his departure, announced two days after a meeting with current IL leader Rui Rocha, who was recently sworn in at the time, was the result of a disagreement with the regional executive’s policies. because he did not know how to “acknowledge” the agreement. “Less public spending, less debt for future generations – especially since debt equals poverty –, fewer wasteful public companies, more young people and entrepreneurs able to realize their dreams and projects, promote their islands, without losing the must continue to hold hands with the government – a ubiquitous entity in the life of the Azores and one of their largest and strictest jailers.”considered Nuno Barata.
For the time being, the PSD is focusing its attention on other parties. “Not approving the 2024 plan and budget will be an act of irresponsibility as it will jeopardize the proper implementation of the PRR. [Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência] and the Azores 2030, delaying the development of the Azores and the implementation of deep social justice measures for months.”said Pedro Gomes yesterday.
Pedro Gomes aimed batteries at the PS and accused the region’s former president, the socialist Vasco Cordeiro, of being a “harbinger of misfortune”, also emphasizing that the PRR’s community funds are a “unique opportunity that cannot be wasted due to partisan whims. “. “How does Doctor Vasco Cordeiro explain to the Azores and Azores that between 2012 and 2020, the governments under his responsibility increased the regional public debt by 1682 million euros?”, he asked.
Two days earlier, the leader of PS Açores accused the PSD of presenting a 2024 regional budget that “sweeps problems under the rug,” and does not “convince the most conscientious.”.
Source: DN
