The Prime Minister warns of the growth of the extreme right on the American continent and in Europe, as this current exploits a discourse of radicalization and hatred, and calls for the mobilization of all democrats.
These positions were expressed by António Costa in an interview published last Sunday in the digital edition of the Chilean newspaper La Tercera, in which he praised the presidents of Chile, Gabriel Boric, and Brazil, Lula da Silva.
“The phenomenon of the growth of the far right, based on the radicalization of political discourse, hateful rhetoric, division and restriction of rights, poses a serious risk to democracies and freedom. And it should call on all Democrats to prevent this. “he insisted.
António Costa arrived in Chile this Sunday to take part in Monday’s ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of General Augusto Pinochet’s coup that overthrew Chile’s democracy under democratically elected President Salvador Allende.
Also on Monday, at La Moneda Palace, the headquarters of the Chilean government, the Portuguese Prime Minister and the heads of state present at the ceremonies, mainly from Latin American countries, will sign a document in favor of democracy and human rights, entitled “Declaration of Santiago”.
In this interview with the newspaper La Tercera, António Costa refused to talk about “a Portuguese model” of convergence to the left, claiming that his three governments present different political configurations, but arguing that there is now a new relationship between the forces of these government. ideological space.
“Each country and each moment has its specificities, and it is difficult to talk about the Portuguese model, given that over the last eight years we have gone through different configurations, from parliamentary influence agreements – the so-called ‘Gerigonça’ – to a minority government without these agreements and now an absolute majority. However, it is clear that in November 2015, a taboo that existed in Portugal was broken and the doors were opened for a new relationship with the Portuguese left,” he insisted.
Regarding the coup of September 11, 1973, which installed the dictatorship in Chile until 1988, António Costa said that he “deeply admires the figure of President Allende, for his legacy of uncompromising defense of democracy and its institutions, for which he gave his own life.”
“Today, Salvador Allende remains a reference for many generations of democrats. He is a symbol of resistance against the dictatorship,” he emphasized in an interview in which he praised the current Chilean head of state, Gabriel Boric, and was asked about the impact of Lula da Silva’s triumph in the last Brazilian presidential elections.
“It is a return that we welcome, because more than Lula da Silva’s return to power, we are witnessing a return of Brazil to the international stage. A Brazil committed to protecting the environment and fighting climate change. A Brazil that increasingly sees itself as a global player,” he reflected.
Asked about the recent victories of presidential candidates in several South American countries, such as Colombia, Chile or Brazil, António Costa said that he takes this phenomenon for granted.
“Six years ago, the vast majority of Latin American governments were right-wing. The left-wing majority that exists today is a natural – and healthy – reflection of democratic alternation,” he declared.
Source: DN
