At a meeting of the National Secretariat of the Socialist Party (PS) in Lisbon, party leader Maria Antónia de Almeida Santos deferred to the Socialist parliamentary group regarding their stance on the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry commission, proposed by the Liberal Initiative (IL) and already set to proceed due to the abstention of the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
“Certainly, we will not oppose this, but the issue is that we do not want a commission of inquiry to distract from the main point, which is to understand what the Prime Minister thinks about this, a year after announcing plans that have failed,” she stated.
The PS leader noted that, considering the positions of other parties, the inquiry commission into the situation of the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) will be approved.
“The PS’s position aligns with past stances on other inquiry commissions, but I believe this matter will be discussed tomorrow [Wednesday] in the parliamentary group, and thus, the parliamentary leader can then provide the group’s position,” she indicated.
Maria Antónia de Almeida Santos highlighted that “there are issues with the INEM and there is an INEM tender that is a concern,” which is from last year and “entirely the responsibility of this Government.”
“We are not shirking responsibility for past events, but the issue isn’t the INEM, its functioning at present. What we want to ascertain are the plans, the Government’s responsibility, and most importantly, in light of this ensuing confusion, what the Prime Minister’s stance is,” she remarked.
For the PS leader, “these are very serious cases occurring, and there cannot be any perception that there are no structures in place capable of responding to emergency situations and medical emergencies.”
“We have nothing to fear, particularly as the matter concerns the functioning of the INEM, the INEM tender. Therefore, the issue is to determine how the Socialist Party will vote,” she noted.
Today, the PSD parliamentary leader announced that the party would abstain from voting on the IL’s proposal to initiate a parliamentary inquiry into the INEM situation, which will ensure its approval.
Hugo Soares communicated this decision to Lusa and SIC at the event for the presentation of the PSD/CDS-PP coalition candidate for Odivelas City Hall, Marco Pina.
Last week, Chega had already declared their support for IL’s initiative, as did the Communist Party today, totaling 72 votes in favor. With the PSD’s abstention, even if the remaining parties, including the PS, vote against, the inquiry’s approval is assured.
