Berta Cabral challenges new rules on Social Mobility Aid and claims Azorean Government was not consulted on the matter - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, expressed her dissatisfaction with the new rules on the Social Mobility Aid and confirmed that the National Government only consulted the Azores regarding the requirement to provide proof of no outstanding debts to the Tax Authorities and Social Security when proposing the Order, and not the Decree-Law now enacted by the President of the Republic.

Berta Cabral considered that the bill, already enacted by the President of the Republic, "disregards the legitimate expectations of the Azoreans and does not adequately recognise the structural aspects associated with the remoteness of the archipelago."

“The solution adopted by the National Government undermines the essential role of the Social Mobility Aid as an instrument for mitigating territorial inequalities and promoting effective equality in access to mobility,” defended Berta Cabral.

In this regard, the Regional Secretary continued, "the changes introduced to the Social Mobility Aid scheme are not acceptable to the Region, as they promote discrimination between citizens," as had already been conveyed in the opinion sent to the National Government during the consultation on the Ordinance.

The Regional Secretary also noted that “the model now enshrined represents a step backwards from previously agreed understandings and introduces requirements which, due to their scope, place further obstacles to a right that should be guaranteed in a clear, simple and predictable manner to the Azorean people.”

In view of this scenario, the Regional Government believes that the rules now approved raise serious doubts as to their compliance with the fundamental principles of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, namely those of equality, proportionality and respect for the political and administrative autonomy of Autonomous Regions.

“We remain fully open to responsible and constructive institutional dialogue. Such dialogue cannot take place at the expense of regional autonomy or the safeguarding of the rights of island citizens. Autonomy is not merely a rhetorical device or a circumstantial concession, but rather a constitutional pillar of the Portuguese State and a political legacy that the Regional Government of the Azores will continue to defend firmly, in line with the majority will of the Azoreans," stated Berta Cabral.