Regional Government calls for unity in Regional Parliament to enshrine rights of Azorean people - Communication

Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades

The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, called today for the convergence of all political forces at the Azorean parliament to definitively halt the recent tax and contribution requirements imposed by the State on the Region regarding citizens' access to the social mobility aid.

In his speech in the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, during an urgent debate proposed by the Social Democratic Party, Paulo Estêvão stressed that this is the time to put democratic plurality at the service of Autonomy, joining forces to reach a consensus on the various proposals currently under discussion at the National Assembly.

"I call for the Azorean Parliament to remain united on these issues, because the truth is that the Azorean Parliament has emerged stronger on this matter," stressed the government official. In this regard, he recalled the unanimity reached over a draft bill on the subject that was submitted to the National Parliament, but whose urgency was rejected by the Socialist and CHEGA parties.

Despite the natural differences in political debate, the government official outlined the Government's action, recalling that the Azorean Government was the first entity to put forward a formal initiative to abolish these impositions. He also reiterated that there had always been "firmness and determination" on the part of the President of the Regional Government in the uncompromising defence of the archipelago's interests in the face of "centralist tendencies."

The Regional Secretary also pointed out that the union of the Azores' self-governing bodies has recently succeeded in reversing restrictive interpretations by the National Government, mentioning the example of safeguarding the rights of foreign citizens residing in the Region, including their access to mobility aid.

The Azorean Government's goal will now be to combine proposals from the Azores, Madeira and different parliamentary groups in Lisbon to form a strong majority at the national parliament.

"We have a unique opportunity. We have a majority at the National Assembly, and we must harness it to make our autonomous will prevail and ensure that the legislation is upheld," Paulo Estêvão defended, expressing the Regional Government's willingness to reach a consensus.

In the Government's view, the legislative amendment currently underway should also clearly correct the actual terminology used by the State, rejecting welfare-oriented terminology.

Paulo Estêvão was adamant in clarifying the concept: "It cannot be called a subsidy. It has to do with territorial cohesion and territorial compensation mechanisms. It is a constitutional right and an obligation of the Portuguese State, and that is how it must be designated in the legislation that we manage to agree on," he concluded.