It is not yet certain, but Portugal may vote early for the next European Championship, which is scheduled for 2024. The revelation is made by Tiago Antunes, Secretary of State for European Affairs, in conversation with DN, in Strasbourg, during his visit to the European Championship. Parliament in the context of Europe Day (9 May). The planned date for the elections – June 9, 2024, the eve of a national holiday – “is very inconvenient in Portugal”, says Tiago Antunes. However, despite the inconvenience, the date could become this one, the Secretary of State explains: “To change it, unanimity of the 27 Member States is required. So far it has not been possible to find an alternative date, which despite all our initiatives and demarches manage to gather unanimity.”
Therefore, the option may undergo the opening of an early mobility vote in the previous week, similar to what has already happened in other internal electoral acts, such as the presidential or legislative. “Even if the date ends up being the scheduled date, it will be possible to vote early on mobility on the previous Sunday and therefore citizens can choose to vote anywhere in the territory on the previous Sunday,” says Tiago Antunes, explaining that the decision has been negotiated with the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In addition, in elections that are already poorly attended (the last few, in 2019, abstention was almost 70%), the government will also make pedagogical efforts and try to reach the citizens and explain the importance of this election campaign. to trade”.
In Strasbourg, Tiago Antunes had several meetings scheduled and also the follow-up to the official visit of the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who spoke at the European Parliament on 10 May.
Dismissed? “Portugal is highly regarded in the EU”
Tiago Antunes, included in the spectrum of government, has therefore kept a close eye on the various resignations that have marked this year and a half of government.
When asked about this, the State Secretary for European Affairs did not respond immediately, but preferred to emphasize Portugal’s image of the European Union (EU). “Portugal has a very positive image with its peers and the EU,” he says, adding that the country has “a proactive attitude in discussing European issues and dossiers, in making commitments”. “This is recognized by our partners and we often have greater influence than would result from our size, as we are seen as committed to European construction. We are an active and highly respected voice in the EU” , argues Tiago Antunes.
In addition, the Secretary of State also says that he is hopeful about the future, especially after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) adjusted Portuguese growth upwards (2.6% against 1.8%, in the government’s figures). “Fortunately, the macroeconomic indicators are quite positive for Portugal. They allow us to look with hope to the future, both in terms of the sustainability of government accounts and employment. Other European partners,” reveals Tiago Antunes.
‘EU must continue to play role in Ukraine war’
The conversation with DN, in Strasbourg, took place on Europe Day. The second with the war to be present on the continent. Tiago Antunes sees room for the European project to continue to play an important role: “It is important for the EU to maintain the role it has played, of unquestionably supporting Ukraine, at various levels (financial, military, diplomatic, humanitarian), and condemning Russia. Europe has a very important role to play here, to strongly condemn those who were the ones who were attacked, those who invaded, and on the other hand, anyone who violated European law, which endangered the territorial integrity of a state like Ukraine.”
On that day, the President of the Republic published on the Presidency’s official website a note to mark Europe Day, calling for an EU “without illiberalism and without nationalism” (something he later repeated when speaking at the European Parliament spoke). Faced with this position of the Head of State, Tiago Antunes agrees: “There is a challenge, especially in view of the European elections next year. Today there are political proposals for all tastes and solutions and proposals that are quite favorable to the process of European integration and the process of construction. On the contrary, there are increasingly audible proposals of a nationalist, populist tendency, more or less openly questioning the European project. It is these choices that will be at stake in next year’s election.”
DN traveled at the invitation of the European Parliament.
Source: DN
