José Pedro Aguiar-Branco spoke to journalists in Paço de Arcos, Oeiras, during a visit to the Escola Superior Náutica Infante Dom Henrique, which received unanimous commendation from parliament.
Asked about recent incidents concerning inappropriate behavior by deputies, including one involving Filipe Melo of Chega while serving as a member of the parliamentary table, the President of the Assembly of the Republic referred to proposals already made by the PS and Livre to review the Code of Conduct.
“Perhaps it is timely to revisit the Code of Conduct to which deputies are subject and the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Republic itself. This is an initiative that belongs to the parliamentary groups,” noted José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.
For the President of the Assembly of the Republic, “the parliamentary groups should take the initiative to conduct the review.”
“The credibility of the parliament is not only observed in terms of the political freedom of the debate conducted there but also in the form and rules of civility that should exist. It is the combination of these two realities that grants credibility to the parliament and prestige to the critical institution of democracy, the Assembly of the Republic,” he argued.
Addressing the journalists, the parliamentary president emphasized that currently, there is no applicable sanction framework for deputies acting in their duties, but he further indicated that “there are publicly two parliamentary groups, PS and Livre, which have indicated intentions to propose revisions.”
“So far, this dynamic [of review] has not been raised again for discussion. I think it is good to discuss, and it is a reflection that can be carried out,” he stressed.
From a personal standpoint, the President of the Assembly of the Republic expressed he is not in favor of sanctions, stating he still believes that “the maturity and accountability of each individual for how they exercise their mandate should be judged when the Portuguese go to vote.”
When questioned about concerns regarding the parliament’s image in light of the series of cases related to deputy behavior, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco responded that the concern should not solely be his.
“It should be of all deputies. Our legitimacy results from the vote. No one is there invited; no one entered through the side door; everyone entered with the legitimacy of each Portuguese’s vote. We cannot forget this,” he said.
He made another remark, referencing the role of the Assembly of the Republic as a sovereignty body.
“It is not a school, it is not a company. It is the highest record of democracy, which is the representation of the Portuguese by mandate in direct and universal suffrage,” he declared.
Faced with the disciplinary case of Filipe Melo of Chega, he admitted that it holds special gravity due to him being a member of the parliamentary table.
“Freedom of expression must be associated with respect for the urban and respectful manner in which we address one another. The President of the Assembly of the Republic plays an important role in ensuring situations do not occur that could condition debate with equal footing. A member of the Table, neither through gestures nor words, can condition the freedom of political debate,” he concluded.
