In his final Christmas message, the Prime Minister took stock of his eight years at the head of the government this Monday and guaranteed that the country “is prepared to overcome major challenges”. To justify this punishment, António Costa appealed to the level of qualification of the Portuguese, to the fact that Portugal “the European Union country best placed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045” and liberation “from decades of chronic budget deficits”, in a direct reference to the reduction of public debt to below 100% of GDP achieved this year.
All of António Costa’s arguments coincide with decisions taken by the government between 2015 and 2023. ‘Because we have more freedom to decide, because we are better prepared for humanity’s greatest challenge. [as alterações climáticas, na perspetiva do chefe do Governo]“Because we have a more qualified and innovative society, through all this we can continue to have confidence in our future,” the Chief Executive emphasized.
António Costa submitted his resignation on November 7, justifying the decision by the fact that his name appeared in a statement from the Public Prosecution Service, which stated that the Prime Minister is being investigated by the Supreme Court, following an indictment by the Minister of Justice. Prosecution. António Costa was not appointed as a defendant, but after the decision had already been made, he stated several times that the suspicion hanging over him is not compatible with the role he fulfils. With Costa’s departure, the president of the republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has chosen to dissolve parliament and call parliamentary elections on March 10.
Now, in his final Christmas message, António Costa took stock of the different moments that marked his administration and also of the challenges that were collectively overcome. The Prime Minister used the word ‘together’ eight times, marking important moments since 2015. “Together we overcame the fear of the pandemic; together we have ensured that the tragedy of the 2017 fires will not be repeated, together we have achieved more and better jobs, reduced poverty and inequality, we have regained peace of mind in families’ We have together increased investment from companies and increased exports, we restored duties and balanced government accounts. Together we have overcome difficulties and together we have built a better country.”he claimed.
“Are there any challenges we still need to overcome?”the Prime Minister asked rhetorically and replied “of course yes”. “And it will always take strength and determination to face them. But we have a lot of work to do that we can’t stop. In the face of adversity, we have a duty to be persistent and never give up. And that is why The message I want to give you today is again a message of trust. Of trust in us, Portuguese, of trust in Portugal, our country.”he concluded, after repeating the word trust eleven times.
Source: DN
