PS deputy secretary-general João Torres said on Saturday that despite the “difficulties” and “perils”, the party “will not turn its back” on the country and will remain “focused” on fulfilling its electoral programme.
“The year 2023 is a decisive year for the country, because it is a year in which we will certainly have to assume our responsibilities, as we will be a relationship of trust in accordance with the mandate that the Portuguese have assigned to the PS,” said João Torres in Melgaco.
Speaking at the opening of the XX district congress of the PS in Viana do Castelo, the official stated that the PS “does not hide the vicissitudes, does not hide the flaws” and “does not tell the Portuguese that they are facing an international crisis, a European context and a world of great difficulties”.
“Despite these difficulties, the truth is that during the 10 months of government, we have fulfilled the essentiall”, said João Torres, citing as examples the updating of pensions, the increase in wages, the fight against poverty, especially child poverty, the strengthening of the welfare state, health care and public education, the progressive free daytime care centers .
“We remain absolutely focused on executing our program. We will not turn our backs on a difficult moment. We have reason to believe and trust in Portugal’s future, despite the difficulties that, I insist, must not be denied and coming from the international fronts we face in the face of new turmoil”, said João Torres.
João Torres highlighted the history of the PS, which was founded 50 years ago this year, and highlighted the “characteristics of governance” of the past seven years, with “a secretary-general, a prime minister who had the courage to reverse the austerity bending page, the ability to fight a pandemic [covid-19].
“The PS is a party that will not turn its back in difficult times. We ultimately know that the PS will bring the Portuguese a series of results that completely contradict the narrative of the right”, referred.
At the start of work at the Socialist Congress of Alto Minho, which will take place in the auditorium of the Casa das Artes in Melgaço, the Minister of Housing, Marina Gonçalves, the Secretary of State for the Sea, José Maria Costa, and the former Minister of Education Tiago Brandão Rodrigues.
In front of about 150 militants, João Torres appealed to “the militancy, the participation and the great mobilization of all socialists”.
“The PS is the largest Portuguese party. It is a party that does not accept moral lessons from any other political party formation,” he stressed.
The closing session of the congress is scheduled for 5 pm, in the presence of the national secretary of the PS, Ana Catarina Mendes.
Source: DN
