José Manuel Bolieiro recalls that National Government must honour "Portugal as a whole" - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, once again recalled, during a parliamentary debate, the non-compliance of the National Government towards the Region, stressing that it is necessary to "honour Portugal as a whole."

The Regional Government, as José Manuel Bolieiro pointed out, does not regard the National Government as an "enemy from outside." Nonetheless, it must also address the failure to comply with the various obligations towards the Region and "call on the National Government to honour Portugal as a whole."

The relations between institutions, "even with disagreements, must be cordial and civilised," but the National Government must provide answers in order to "solve the problems" that fall under its responsibility, an action that must be taken "on behalf of the Azores and Portugal."

"I do not take into account the exertions of those who look more at electoral strategies. Instead, I am talking about fair demands, negotiations and warnings to the National Government," based on the "autonomy of accountability" that is the hallmark of the current Government of the Azores, continued José Manuel Bolieiro.

The President of the Government then presented some "objective and indisputable facts" that prove some of the failures of the National Government: the failure to fund the University of the Azores, the failure to launch the tender for non-liberalised air routes with public service obligations, the end of life of the current submarine cables and their non-replacement or the failure to compensate for the damage caused by Hurricane Lorenzo, particularly with regard to the Lajes das Flores Port.

José Manuel Bolieiro also listed some of the successes of the current government, which contrast with previous years of socialist governments: the "Azores Fare," the maximum tax reduction allowed, the "New Elderly" programme and the end of apportionments of aid to farmers were some of the measures highlighted during the parliamentary debate.

"We have been working together with our civil society and our social partners. And that seems to bother [the opposition] because it was never achieved by previous governments," he continued, mentioning the Partnership Agreement signed last week as part of the Permanent Council of the Economic and Social Council of the Azores (CESA).

The President of the Government of the Azores spoke at the Regional Legislative Assembly on the occasion of an urgent debate, raised by the PPM party, about the failure of the National Government to assume its responsibilities towards the Autonomous Region of the Azores - a "very pertinent" debate, he noted.