In response to the allegations involving Filipe Melo, Secretary of the Assembly of the Republic and a member of the Chega party, accused of sending kisses to Socialist deputy Isabel Moreira, a claim Melo denies, the sole PAN deputy stressed the need to enforce the existing code of conduct.
“In the complaint I will file this Monday against Rita Matias and deputy Rodrigo Alves Taxa [both from Chega], I will request the application of Article 13, meaning a symbolic fine of one cent imposed by the President of the Assembly of the Republic [José Pedro Aguiar-Branco] on these deputies,” she told journalists in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto district.
Inês de Sousa Real alleges she was called “disgusting” twice by Rita Matias, without reprimand from the Assembly’s president, and that Rodrigo Alves Taxa described her as “human misery” and an “intellectual nonentity.”
“This must stop, and we need Aguiar-Branco to not only finally have the courage to say no to Chega and to end the repeated abuses by Chega, but also to enforce the code and statutes governing deputies,” she emphasized.
The deputy insists on the need to “update and intensify these measures, to ensure there are not just mild reprimands,” but also options for “suspension of duties, as seen in other parliaments, or even withdrawal of speaking rights.”
“We cannot continue to tolerate unacceptable behavior at the Speaker’s Table. Those in positions of power must understand they represent not just their party, but the entire parliament, the institution of the Assembly, and all Portuguese citizens,” she noted.
Inês de Sousa Real states that if deputies “cannot control themselves, they should not be at the table,” as recent interjections in the Assembly “have surpassed acceptable limits.”
Chega leader André Ventura stated that deputy Filipe Melo, accused by Socialist deputy Isabel Moreira, was actually addressing Rui Tavares from the Livre party.
“No, I haven’t seen the footage. I saw it on the news. The deputy assured me that his interaction was with deputy Rui Tavares and not with deputy Isabel Moreira,” Ventura explained.
Ventura claims Filipe Melo assured him “there was no provocative activity or kisses sent from the assembly table to Socialist deputy Isabel Moreira.”
The President of the Assembly of the Republic has requested an investigation from the transparency committee into possible “serious irregularities” and “violation of deputy duties” by Filipe Melo, acting as vice-secretary of the parliament’s table.
José Pedro Aguiar-Branco noted that on Thursday, a complaint was filed by Socialist deputy Isabel Moreira against Filipe Melo, who was serving as vice-secretary of the Speaker’s Table, for “alleged inappropriate and offensive behavior.”
During the plenary session, Filipe Melo allegedly made disrespectful gestures, such as sending kisses and signaling for silence, in an alleged attempt to silence Moreira.
